Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

I share Senator Ryan's view of this Bill. When it was first introduced, I asked for a briefing on it and was told that it was quite simple and contained few major provisions apart from expanding the categories of people who can write prescriptions to include nurses. That was an important selling point in what appeared to be welcome legislation but matters transpired very differently and the Bill now covers a wide array of areas, from free dental care and school-age children to food labelling.

I am not happy with my own performance on this Bill, which was affected by my bafflement with it. When the legislation was last before the Seanad, I predicted that it would return here because it would be subjected to numerous amendments in the Dáil and was proven right.

One can either agree with Senator Glynn's opinion that the Bill reveals the importance of a second House or regard the legislation as bad and flawed in the first place — I opt for the latter. We have been totally bamboozled by some of the amendments and I was delighted to realise that even people with superior intellects, such as Senator Ryan, did not have a clue about some of the references made by the Minister of State today.