Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Ag deireadh an próisis seo, gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Cheann Comhairle agus leis na hoifigigh atá anseo agus i mo Roinn as ucht an tacaithe leis an mBille seo.

When we first introduced this Bill last September, I spoke about the importance of responding to potential threats to our security and to public order arising from some third country investments. In that context, it remains essential we enact this Bill to provide the State with the powers necessary to deter or mitigate the impact from hostile actors acquiring ownership of or influence over businesses and assets to cause harm to the State. I believe the mechanism we have developed is tailored to suit Ireland's needs. It strikes a fair balance between preserving our attractiveness to potential investors while equipping the State with the necessary safeguards to protect against risk, confirming Ireland as a responsible and secure location in which to do business.

I sincerely thank the Deputies across the House. I thank Deputy O'Reilly, who is here with us, and her team, Deputies Ó Cathasaigh and Duffy for their engagement at committee level and subsequently, and the Cathaoirleach of the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Quinlivan. We had a very good engagement at the committee previously and subsequently which has allowed us to proceed today. I thank the officials in my Department who have worked on very complex legislation. I thank the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel for their work on this. It may seem from the way the debate has proceeded this evening that it was seamless. A huge amount of work went in on everyone's part to get to this level. Gabhaim buíochas le gach duine as ucht na hoibre sin.

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