Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senators for their valuable contributions and acknowledge the contributions of Deputies in the Lower House also. Despite the fact that I could not accept any amendments today, the final shape of the Bill reflects substantially the contributions made by the Opposition. Many of the amendments suggested by Fine Gael and Labour Party Members have been taken on board, sometimes in their totality or in some form or other by the Minister. There is no doubt that these amendments have improved the Bill.

I thank Members of the Opposition for the valuable input they have had to what will be very important legislation to enable us to get the tribunal process back on track realistically with the support and approval of the public. We must get the public back on side regarding tribunals which are doing work of immense value. Where the mechanism of a commission of investigation leads on to a tribunal, much of the current criticism of the tribunal process will be negated. Again, I thank everybody for their valuable input which has resulted in a better Bill.