Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Martin, and on my own behalf, I thank Senators for their co-operation and support in passing this legislation. I also thank the staff of the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel and the Office of the Attorney General who did a huge amount of work in this regard. I compliment the staff of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, in particular, on the work they have done on this legislation, which is the first major domestic consumer Bill to be introduced for over a quarter of a century. I hope the Bill, which draws together ten separate legislative provisions, will make this sector more accessible and easier to understand for all participants in the market. It will go a long way towards giving Irish consumers a modern, progressive consumer protection code. The Bill's provisions on unfair, misleading and aggressive commercial practices will give consumers an updated and comprehensive range of protections.

I thank Senators, as well as my colleagues in the Dáil, for suggesting ideas that we were able to incorporate in this legislation. The spirit of the Oireachtas dictates that good ideas should be incorporated in legislation, regardless of where they come from. Senators Cox and Coghlan asked when the section 48 provisions will be implemented and will come into effect. The Minister will consider every means available to him to lessen the negative impact that might be felt by the travel trade. He will see what he can do in that regard. This is not the last legislation I will present to the Seanad before the upcoming elections. I expect to return to the House on 26 April next with another Bill. I will see Senators on that occasion.