Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)

We have had a fruitful and co-operative discussion on the Bill on all Stages in this House. The process was aided by a number of substantial Opposition amendments which the House has seen fit to take on board in the version of the Bill before us today. A number of Government amendments were also tabled which Senators will acknowledge have improved the Bill. A small number of amendments tabled by Opposition Senators required further detailed consideration but, unfortunately, the period of time between Committee and Report Stages was not sufficient for me to bring back considered responses to this House. I have promised, however, to raise such issues on Committee Stage in the Dáil, which I understand will take place on Wednesday, 2 July, and report back to this House before the summer recess, on Friday, 4 July. I hope this will enable the Bill to be enacted by mid-July, thereby giving entitlements to some 70,000 fixed-term contract workers, particularly in the area of pay and pensions. I thank Senators, officials of this House and officials from my Department for their assistance in assuring a swift and effective passage of the Bill through the House.