Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Dáil and the Seanad for the speedy consideration of this legislation. I acknowledge the cross-party and cross-grouping support for it.

I also want to acknowledge another group of people who are serving our country well during such a difficult time as we prepare for all Brexit eventualities, namely, our Civil Service. A large amount of work has gone into this legislation, as indeed has a large amount of work gone into the Brexit omnibus Bill. I am not sure our citizens, indeed those of us in this House, will ever fully understand the extent of the pressure under which the Civil Service has been working to prepare for every possible eventuality in a world of great uncertainty. I want to express my gratitude and that of the Government for this work.

The opportunity cost of all this is significant. We have teams of civil servants in all Departments who would much rather be working on issues we would rather they were working on. Obviously, it is right and proper that Brexit preparedness are priorities Nos.1, 2 and 3.

I want to acknowledge both Paul Flanagan and Tom Monks and their team from my Department, as well as Laura McGarrigle from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and her team. On a broader basis, on behalf of every Member, I want to acknowledge the absolute dedication of the Civil Service at a difficult time. The country is extraordinarily well served.

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