Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

I welcome the Bill and I welcome the Minister of State to the House for consideration of these amendments. Clearly, significant amendments were made to this Bill in the Dáil. It is a pity we have only a short period of time and only one opportunity to speak here in the Seanad. Nevertheless, I welcome the Minister's and the Department's open attitudes to the proposals put to them in the Dáil. It is clear from the Minister of State's words, and I know from my own colleagues, that a substantial number of reasonable and sensible amendments were accepted. I am very happy to accept them at this level also.