Pearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)

Echoing the sentiments of Senator Coffey, it is disappointing we did not get the time to tease out the amendments. As other Senators and the Minister were providing explanations, it is difficult to think on one's feet, particularly when one is dealing with this type of legislation. As somebody stated, the net is out there and we are catching people that we should not catch with these charges. However, we are where we are. I welcome the Bill and I called for it prior to the Government being willing to accede to the request. It is important because it empowers local authorities and provides them with additional revenue. If anything good has come out of the recession perhaps it is the widening of the tax base for local authorities.

On my behalf and on behalf of my party I thank the Minister for the interaction he and his officials have had. I am glad he took the approach he did to the Bill, not only in the debate today but in shaping it initially. There are still a couple of bumps which we will try to smooth out on Report Stage. I wish the Minister and his officials well in drafting the amendments he indicated he would consider on the three areas we raised today.