Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I also record my appreciation of the Minister of State and his officials. I thank them for their careful and kind consideration. I concur with the remarks expressed by Senator O'Toole. The Minister of State has shown his respect for this House by considering the amendments brought forward by Senators. He has agreed to consider certain amendments before the Bill is examined by the Dáil and bring forward suggestions in that House. He will report back to this House after the Bill has been amended in the other House. It is important that we record our appreciation of the bodies mentioned by Senator O'Toole, IBEC and the ICTU. A great deal of work has been done by the social partners at national and European level, for example, by keeping an eye on the framework directive from which this legislation flowed. I express my appreciation of the Minister of State and his officials once more.