Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

I move amendment No.14:

In page 7, line 12, to delete "1994" and substitute "2004".

I thank the Minister of State and his officials for accepting this amendment and for supplying us with the extensive briefing notes on the more than 60 amendments that were tabled to meet the concerns that were raised on Second Stage. When I got those notes, I wondered if it might have been better for the Bill as initiated to have been withdrawn and for it to have been rewritten to incorporate all of them. I assume that there is a good reason why that was not done as the process appears cumbersome. However, I commend the Minister of State and thank him for taking on board the extensive concerns that were raised in this House on Second Stage, which was taken some time ago. I also thank him for responding in the way that he did, which has made the process comprehensible. I wish other Departments would do the same.