Michael McCarthy (Labour)

I accept the Minister of State's response and will withdraw the amendment on that basis. However, this is the second such occasion in recent weeks in this House that this has happened. This scenario also arose during the Committee Stage debate on the Bord Bia Bill when the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Walsh, accepted the principle and ethos of a particular amendment but did not accept it in this House and signalled his intention to table an amendment in that regard in the Dáil.

If there is a serious will on the part of Ministers to accept the principle or ethos of amendments, they should do so on Committee Stage in this House. I am aware they are in a position to remedy matters at a later stage. As regards the operation of this House and taking into account Standing Orders, it is important Ministers acknowledge the contribution of Members of this House and that this type of situation be prevented from recurring.