John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I compliment Senator O'Donovan on his contributions to date, which reveal his obvious passion for this subject. I would like to explore further what the Minister of State said in his response. I agree with Senator O'Donovan with regard to due diligence, to which the Minister of State referred. It seems the section, if not the entire Bill, could have been postponed for a brief period if the completion of due diligence between Cork Port and the Bantry Harbour Commissioners is so near to completion. I do not see why it could not have been accommodated. Be that as it may, the Minister of State in his reply said he was prepared to insert the consultation process formally into the text of the Bill. I ask for a direct answer from him to know if I am correct in this assumption and that he intends submitting amendments on Report Stage to that effect. If this is the case, I would be more than happy to withdraw the amendment at this stage if he proposes to bring forward alternative Government amendments on Report Stage.