John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

This Bill is an important measure in the delivery of services by the North-South Body as envisaged in the Good Friday Agreement. I thank Deputies, particularly Opposition Members, for their co-operation on progressing the legislation and for recognising the importance of its enactment in tandem with the equivalent legislation in Westminster.

I also thank Deputy Keaveney, who comes from one of the areas covered by the legislation, for her valuable contribution. I also acknowledge the commitment and good will officials, particularly those in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and the Office of the Attorney General, have shown in progressing the legislation over a number of years. I thank officials from the North, particularly those in the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Office of the Legislative Counsel and the Loughs Agency, who have made a major contribution to advancing the Bill. I thank officials from my Department for their contribution over the years and the advice they gave the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey, and myself in recent weeks.

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