Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I congratulate the Minister of State on this important Bill. We are very well served with the quality of the public service in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. I had the same experience when I was there. Coupled with his responsibility over trade, the Minister of State has brought many Bills before these Houses since his appointment.

This is a well-balanced Bill. It complies with EU directives and requirements, which is very important for the Minister of State when he attends meetings of the Council of Ministers. He can say that he is implementing the required legislation. When we were trying to implement the Single European Act, we were asked how many aspects of it were implemented at a national level. The Minister of State is in a very strong position as he pushed this Bill ahead of many other member states. The majority of them have not even brought it forward in their national Legislatures.

I hope the Bill is passed in the other House as quickly as possible and that it becomes law before the end of the session.