Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State and I welcome his indication that the amendment will be considered for inclusion on Committee Stage in the Dáil. However, I regret that he did not introduce an alternative amendment in this House. Some 84 amendments to this Bill have been tabled by Senators from different parties and the Minister of State has not indicated a willingness to accept any of them. He has not tabled any alternatives but has merely brought forward two minor technical amendments. When points are made in good faith and when people carry out research and work with agencies that are interested in matters such as those to which the legislation refers, it would be in the interests of democracy and the reputation of the Seanad if the Government considered accepting Opposition amendments on the floor of the House.

We want to improve the legislation and highlight the concerns of those who are experts in this area and who have stated that the Bill could be strengthened by the inclusion of amendments such as that under discussion. The Government has been in power for 12 years and during that period there has been a diminution in its willingness to accept amendments tabled by Opposition Members. I was a Member of the Houses when such amendments were accepted in good faith. I welcome the fact that the Minister of State is considering the amendment for inclusion on Committee Stage in the Lower House, but I regret that an alternative was not introduced in this House.