Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

I thank the House for the consideration given to the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2003. When I piloted the previous Central Bank legislation through the House last year there was considerable scepticism on whether this measure would appear. It was promised at the time and it has now been delivered. Great credit is due to the officers in the Department of Finance for the speed and expedition with which they devoted themselves to the preparation of this legislation. It is important to put the consumer protection element in place. That has been done. I am pleased the Bill has been well received in both Houses. A considerable amount of work was done on it in the other House and because of that its consideration in this House was somewhat briefer. The Minister met some of the Opposition concerns in the other House. I thank Senators Phelan and Mansergh and the other Senators who participated in the debate.