Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I commend everyone attached to the Bill. I said when I took up office that I would do the best I could to facilitate the passage of legislation I thought to be good legislation. It was improved upon and we discussed matters on each occasion and did not go beating each other up. We improved on this Bill and the Government one time and time again. As Deputy McGrath said, the Fianna Fáil Bill was withdrawn. It is an example of how the process has worked better. It is the first Opposition Bill that has gone through in this way. I thank Deputy Doherty and his staff, Deputy McGrath and Department officials. There was a lot of toing and froing and getting it back. To some extent we were breaking new ground. We have broken new ground and we have brought forward good legislation. On this occasion the political structures have worked. It is retrospective, dating back to 2002. The six years will now apply and if people had cases, they will now have the opportunity to present them. I thank everyone concerned, including the Bills Office, Department staff, Deputy McGrath and, in particular, Deputy Doherty.

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