Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I intended to mention the Minister of State also. I am always happy to acknowledge the Minister of State, who was kind enough to visit Tallaght yesterday on what was a very positive occasion. I am always delighted to welcome a Lenihan to Tallaght.

When I say this, people will think I am winding it up but I genuinely appreciate when people of the standing of Deputy Brian Lenihan come to Tallaght and speak so positively, as he did yesterday, at the opening of An Turas, the new community crèche in Jobstown. As the Minister of State knows, the local judge was in attendance and made reference to the contribution made to that fine facility by people being dealt with by the probation service. It is important in a debate such as this that we should acknowledge this contribution. I am glad the Minister of State did so yesterday. We should be positive about such matters.

I am happy to have made this brief contribution — I could talk for the rest of the day about some of these issues. The Bill is a good piece of business. Colleagues across the House are entitled to make their political points — I have no difficulty with that — but this is an important Bill. I do not agree that we have not had a proper opportunity to consider the Bill, given the all-party interest in the issues during this debate. The fact that we share the various concerns is good for the democratic process. I hope we spend many more Fridays dealing with this kind of business.

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