Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I know the point the Minister is making. I have a public record of supporting the principle of the Bill on Second Stage and did not vote against it on Committee Stage. I do not propose to vote against its passage on Report and Final Stages. All I am saying is that the Bill, while good, is too narrow. Given that we have gone so far to introduce the Bill, we could have done a little bit more to make it broader. My argument is not about the need for legislation.

I agree with what is in front of us, but it would be better if there was more substance in it from day one. Every amendment I tabled has been specific and was an effort to improve and broaden the Bill. Very few of my amendments propose to delete anything in the Bill, because I am happy with what is in it. I want to include extra provisions, such as public bodies and lobbying. The Minister said this is a first effort; let us see how it goes after a year. I will not oppose the principle of the Bill or what is in front of us, but we could be doing a little bit more.

See this speech in context