Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I thank the Minister of State and his officials for the time and attention they have given to this debate. I apologise and regret that they did not get an opportunity to get anything to eat since they came into the Seanad today. However, I must repeat what was said by others. It was unfortunate that such an important issue as public disorder resulting from alcohol did not manage to get the attention it deserved. The House has been demeaned by the way the debate was handled.

I remind the Minister of State that on the last sitting day of the Seanad some seven years ago, when the Dáil had already risen for the summer, Senator Ross discovered there was a flaw in a Bill that had passed through the Dáil, the Electoral (Amendment) Bill. The Leader of the House verified it was a flaw and the Bill failed. It was worth having debate at that stage, although we entered debate believing it was highly unlikely our amendments would be accepted.

Those of us who spoke and gave much time to this Bill today, believe it is not the best legislation that could be achieved. That is not the fault of the Minister of State or officials, but the fault of the arrangements made to deal with it. I express my disappointment with the manner in which the Bill has been passed. This has neither helped democracy nor the standing of this House.