Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)

I was referring to a wider issue raised by Deputy Hogan when he suggested the Bill was the thin end of a wedge that would go far beyond the narrow confines of the legislation. I can play fantasy politics as much as anyone else.

The Minister tabled amendments in response to genuine concerns. Who will blame a Minister for proposing amendments during Committee and Report Stage debates? This has been always the case and has been done with financial legislation, civil rights Bills and other legislation. There is nothing sinister or incompetent about finding and addressing loopholes in legislation. There is no reason not to support the Bill on the basis of the amendments as they do nothing more than close loopholes.

See this speech in context