Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister for Finance for contributing to the debate in such an attentive manner. It is rare that a senior Minister stays in the House for a full day but the Minister did so today and I appreciate it. I thank the Minister's officials, Niamh, Michael and Ronan, who were present for all 27 hours of the debate. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ahern, who, as I said last week, demonstrated courtesy, competence and good humour during the Committee Stage debate. It is important that we conclude our consideration of Bills in a courteous manner – it would be wrong to end with a snarl. I thank the Minister again for his attention and consideration. He has suggested that he will pick up on certain issues raised during the Report Stage debate.