Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I am very grateful to the Members for their kind remarks and I am sure my officials share my sense of gratitude. This process started shortly after my appointment as Minister and has obviously not yet concluded. The scope of this legislation only became apparent to us months into the process. Two teams were working on different aspects of it and these were eventually united under one set of officials.

When one examines the process that has led us to our current position, one will realise that I attached very considerable importance to the legislation and therefore decided to publish the heads of the Bill before sending it to the parliamentary draftsman to put into its proper shape and form. I also decided to initiate a public debate which was quite hot and furious in respect of some aspects of the legislation.

We also received input from the representative associations, including considerable input from the Human Rights Commission, and members of the local authorities, all of which influenced the way in which the Bill has mutated in the legislative process. Without prejudging what will happen in the other House, I can say that I am very happy with the substance of the Bill. It is balanced and has material that meets the standard that most people would have set for this kind of reforming legislation.

The Bill is of such importance that it warranted the time the Seanad allowed to consider it. I have said on occasion that I do not imagine I will be considering any legislation of much greater importance. It required immense thought and reflective debate. Bearing in mind that we have a bicameral Parliament, it is great to enter this Chamber and have a less-combative and more reflective debate than one might have in the other House. I thank the Members of the House for allowing sufficient time to debate this Bill and adequate time between its various Stages. It was a pleasure to hear all the improvements suggested by Members on both sides of the House and to incorporate some of them into the Bill. I wish the Cathaoirleach and all the officials of the House, both on-stage and off-stage, and the Leader and her officials a very happy Christmas, a happy new year and a well-earned rest from what has been a very onerous legislative term. In one sense, I regret that I add to the Members' difficulties by bringing legislation before this House, but the people are the better for it.