Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all the Deputies, particularly the social protection spokespersons and the members of the Oireachtas joint committee, for their input into the Bill over the past year. As I said on a number of occasions today, we have done extensive public consultation. I thank the University of Limerick for the work it did, as well as all the other bodies that were involved, including Mandate, Congress and the workers who are waiting on this Bill to pass into legislation. I also thank business organisations, including ISME and IBEC, that represent small businesses and retailers.

I am genuinely disappointed by this evening's outcome. I will now have to spend the next number of months consulting with businesses, workers and industry to provide amendments to the amendment we have just passed. I will do my absolute best to ensure the Bill is not delayed but I have no doubt that it will.

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