Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I want to pay tribute to the Members of the Seanad who put a very big effort into this Bill. I mention Senator Bannon, in particular, in that regard. I also wish to put on record my admiration for the manner in which Fine Gael has been very positive in this and has sought, throughout, to improve the Bill. One can never get a situation where everybody approves of everything, but we have made significant improvements in the Bill by listening to the Members of both Houses of the Oireachtas. I have done that and have been very flexible in so far as I possibly could.

I wish to mention one area which we did not get a chance to discuss here. We have done something unique in this Bill. On the issue of nuclear power, which was a concern in both Houses, I have uniquely made a cross-reference between this Bill and section 18(6) of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 to emphasise that Members from all parties in this and the other House have a clear view on this matter. We want to ensure that the existing prohibition is retained. Somebody said that this was simply making a political statement. It is true that it is a political statement. However, the appropriate place to make political statements that reflect the views of the elected representatives of the people is in the Houses of the Oireachtas.

I have listened to the contributions both here and in the other House on an issue of great importance. This is a very significant Bill and it will have major impact in the years ahead. It has been greatly improved by the fact that so many Senators and Deputies put so much of their time and effort into it. I am grateful for that.