Martin Brady (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister of State for the efficient manner in which he dealt with this Bill. I thank also his officials and Senator Coffey for his contribution. He always makes sensible suggestions and amendments to legislation. I agree with everything he has just said. Regarding a level playing pitch, perhaps in future we could examine the way Seanad elections are conducted with a view to putting expenditure limits on those too because it is difficult to compete in some cases. Perhaps we should ban free holidays and the like. There are many areas we could examine in this regard because that is not a level playing pitch. One could be slaughtered with one swipe on that, as it were. That is something we should examine.

I thank all concerned, particularly the officials who always come here and do their job with the greatest efficiency. This should be acknowledged in the House.