Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I congratulate the Minister of State and the officials for their work on this Bill, which as he said, is very comprehensive. It covers all the areas, but there are two aspects I would like to mention. Ireland should set its face against exporting arms in any form. That opinion does not come from our neutrality, as we have shown in the past that we are not neutral in good and bad. It would be worthy to say that we do not wish to get involved in arms dealing in any way. In enacting a Bill, we should not do it just because we have been asked to do so by the European Union — although that is a reason — but because it is the right thing to do. That is one of the reasons I was anxious to make sure that the Bill will work.

I am delighted that the Minister of State listened intently on Second Stage and to the amendments that were proposed on Committee Stage. We will find a solution that will make it a good law and a law of which we can also be proud.