Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister for his assistance in guiding us through this very technical legislation relating to a number of conventions. I congratulate the Minister for Transport and his officials on consolidating all legislation in this area into this Bill. I join Senator Browne in thanking the Minister of State and his officials for coming back to us with the information on the amendments. However, as some concerns have been raised, I hope these will be addressed during the Bill's passage through the Dáil and that we will receive an update.

I recognise the importance of the speedy passage of the Bill, particularly in light of the Irish Presidency of the European Union. By doing our own parliamentary housekeeping, we can ensure that we do not place further encumbrance on the ten accession states. The legislation should be enacted before 1 May to allow for the automatic reference to this legislation by the ten accession countries.