Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I thank the Minister for coming before the House and for his contribution.

I am unhappy with the speed with which the Bill is being dealt with. We need time to review legislation of this nature in order to see what improvements we might suggest and for the Minister to consider those suggestions properly, rather than having to do so hastily. We should take Second Stage one week and deal with the subsequent Stages the following week.

I welcome the changes made after the committee meeting last week, including those which took account of submissions by Labour Party Members. In general, rather than an interim measure, we should go straight for considered, comprehensive legislation, perhaps involving Green and White Papers. That is not to rule out urgent amendments or tidying provisions which could be made in the meantime – some of these are included here – but there are also many new provisions in the Bill. I agree with some of them and not with others, but they should not be brought forward in a piecemeal way. The matter should be dealt with comprehensively.