Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the support of the Deputies and the constructive manner in which they have approached the Bill, and in doing so, I acknowledge the leadership of Deputy Clare Daly. I, too, would like to have the legislation enacted and I will be reliant on the co-operation of the House in that regard.

I note in particular that Deputy Clare Daly has given notice of her intention to leave the House. I would be keen that we have the legislation enacted as she is departing. I have already acknowledged that it has taken considerably longer than any of us, including me, would have wished. There are very complex issues. I am not in the business of making excuses. I am pleased we are here now to deal with a number of amendments. I will seek to finalise the remaining Government amendments swiftly as we proceed through the Seanad.

I have to acknowledge this is one of between 115 and 120 Bills on my desk at present, all of which are active. That is a sizeable number. We had the omnibus Brexit Bill, which required a very careful level of calibration on the part of officials in the Department. I have Private Members' Bills, programme for Government Bills and priority legislation. Deputy O'Callaghan should note that I am very keen to report progress on the Parole Bill 2017, the amendments to which are at an advanced stage of drafting. I acknowledge the co-operation of the Dáil committee this morning, in particular Deputies Ó Laoghaire, Daly and O'Callaghan. We progressed two Bills through Committee Stage, on which the House heard the messages earlier. All of the legislation is important. While it is often difficult to prioritise, I am very anxious to work with Deputies on this Bill. I hope we can see our way towards having the Bill enacted in its entirety by the end of July.

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