James Bannon (Fine Gael)

I am disappointed at the time allocated to this Stage, especially given that 62 amendments, covering 35 pages, have been made by the Dáil. It now appears that the Bill was not thoroughly thought through at draft stage. When it was debated in the House, Members on this side submitted numerous amendments, probably as many as were submitted in the Dáil. Many of them were guillotined. I am glad to see that, on reflection, the Minister changed his mind in that he accepted in the Dáil a number of amendments he refused to accept when moved in this House. We do not like piecemeal legislation of this kind. Rushed legislation makes bad law.

I abhor the manner in which the Minister has used the legislation to remove functions from local authorities.