Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I express my sincere thanks to the Minister of State for his patience and forbearance in listening to Senators for a long period. This is excellent legislation. I thank the Leader, who has presented to the House a large volume of legislation for consideration, and the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Harney, who has taken an innovative, forward looking approach. I thank the senior officials of the Department for working so hard to produce the amended Bill so quickly last night in order to present it to the House this morning, which required an enormous amount of work. Their contribution should be recognised and I wish them every success.

I thank the parliamentary reporters for their excellent work. I read the Blacks of yesterday's debates this morning. They do an excellent job which should also be recognised. I also thank the sound recordists who have shown great patience and forbearance in the face of substantial dialogue. I wish the legislation well and thank the Minister of State for his wonderful work on the Bill. I wish him well with it in the Dáil.