Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)

I am happy to withdraw the amendment but before formally doing so I refer to the protracted debates in this Chamber. Perhaps I spoke for longer than I had ever intended on the entire area of the Bantry Harbour authority and so forth. I put on record my appreciation to many Members of the House, particularly to Senator Donohoe, who was present for a long time debating these issues, to Senator McCarthy and Senator Ned O'Sullivan.

I have studied the amendment submitted by Government, which will be dealt with shortly. The Government has tabled several critical amendments, namely, amendments Nos. 12 to 14, submitted by the Minister of State and his officials. I welcome those amendments and I shall speak on them later. They go a long way. It might not be utopian for me but issues I raised, in particular what I referred to in my deliberations in this Chamber as a shotgun marriage between Bantry and Cork Port, will be avoided as a result of these amendments, on which I will speak later. Discussions between Bantry Harbour authority and Cork Port are provided for and, in fact, have taken place already. Matters should be fully teased out.

The public consultation process is essential. I note Senator Donohoe's amendment——