Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

I thank the Deputies opposite. This is convoluted and unusual legislation, the purpose of which is to create a Department and disaggregate a complicated existing Department. I pay tribute to the staff of my Department, some of whom are present in the Chamber, for their Trojan work in bringing the Bill into being at great pace. I know there was frustration among Opposition Deputies that it was taking three months to have the Bill passed, but it involved an enormous amount of work that I wish to acknowledge.

While the Technical Group is not represented in the Chamber, I heard what it had to say about briefings. As a matter of course, I will ensure its Whip is contacted in future. I have asked the Government Whip to ensure this is done as a matter of routine in the case of all Ministers. Therefore, briefings will be provided for all Opposition groupings.

I thank Deputies Mary Lou McDonald and Sean Fleming who have been here all day for engaging with us on the Bill and coming up with constructive ideas. All we have done today is set the groundwork in terms of how we will operate. I look forward to Question Time, as well as committee debates.

I will be bringing other important legislation before the House shortly, the Pensions Bill. I want to use that vehicle to amend the Financial Measures in the Public Interest Bill to deal with the pay measures I announced yesterday to ensure they will have legal validity. We will have plenty of interaction in the future.

I thank the staff of the House and the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for their help in getting this important legislation through today.

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