Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

I have no difficulty with any practical arrangement to use the limited time available to best effect. We have used our time effectively today and that has been of benefit to the Bill. It raises the question of how best to use the remaining time and suggests how much better this Bill could be if the normal parliamentary time were available for its consideration.

I am glad the Minister is taking on board the proposals in regard to the administration of costs. The amendments I tabled were along the same lines. Amendment No. 103 seeks to empower the Minister to "make such changes and amendments as are necessary to the Judges' Rules and to the form of caution given to persons to whom this Part applies". Amendments Nos. 161 and 162 are similar.

The Minister's new proposals seem to satisfy the recommendations of the Hogan committee. I assume his formulations coincide with the advice of officials and are best designed to meet our intentions in this regard. On this basis, I will withdraw my amendments and support the Minister's proposals.

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