John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

A number of drafting amendments are proposed in the group. Government amendments Nos. 34, 35, 37, 39, 44, 46, 49, 51 and 53 are necessary improvements in the text of the Bill as pointed out by the parliamentary counsel. Government amendments Nos. 65, 71 and 73 are similar to the amendments originally proposed by Deputy Durkan on Committee Stage, which the Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey, agreed to review before Report Stage. These amendments have been resubmitted by the Deputy as amendments Nos. 66, 72 and 74. After discussion with the parliamentary counsel it was agreed that these amendments would enhance the text of the Bill. The drafting changes proposed by these amendments are now reflected in the Government amendments. The remaining amendments proposed by Deputy Durkan do not add to the functionality of the Bill and therefore I cannot accept them.

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