Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I congratulate the Minister, Deputy Martin, the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, and their senior officials who have put a great deal of work into the Bill. It is appropriate that worthwhile amendments, especially those proposed by Senator Cox, who has done some pioneering work on excessive credit card costs and charges, have been recognised by the Minister and the Minister of State. They were prepared to amend the Bill in the Dáil before bringing it back to the Seanad. When I was a Minister of State at the Department of Industry and Commerce, I was always pleased to benefit from the wisdom of Members of the Seanad and to include the amendments they proposed, where possible. I remember the former Senator Kennedy from Limerick, who was very involved in legislating and put forward numerous worthwhile amendments. It is encouraging to those of us who are coming to the end of our terms — and hopefully returning for another — that Ministers are prepared to accept amendments. I thank my opposite number, Senator Coghlan, who has been most helpful, encouraging and supportive of useful legislation as Fine Gael's spokesman for enterprise, trade and employment. I wish him well in the forthcoming elections.