Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

As I stated, the Aviation (Preclearance) Bill is important legislation for the country and, specifically, the Shannon region in terms of the improved facilities it will provide. The legislation needs to be enacted as quickly as possible. It has been sought on the floor of the House by Deputies from all sides for some considerable time. I understand from the latest list of amendments that five amendments will be taken on Report Stage. We are providing sufficient time for the Bill, particularly for Second Stage to which Deputies from all sides would like to contribute.

The Bill confirms the positive contribution made by the excellent initiative undertaken by the Minister for Transport and successfully piloted by him to the point where we will have a unique facility in transatlantic travel available to us at Shannon and, in due course, in Dublin. It is very important legislation which we need to enact quickly to send a strong and positive signal to the mid-west, which awaits the facility with great aplomb.

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