Joe O'Toole (Independent)

This is a crucial amendment and I support it. The Minister of State should bring this to the attention of the parliamentary counsel. The words removed go completely against the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement. No one in the Minister of State's Department is responsible for this. The parliamentary counsel have a particular approach, but they should be told that they must look out for this in future in all legislation. The Good Friday Agreement specifically states that there should be parallel legislation and co-operation as far as possible between bodies across the island. It should be implied in all legislation that where it is possible to co-operate with Northern Ireland, it should be done.

Amendment agreed to.