John Ellis (Fianna Fail)

I wish to be associated with the remarks to Mr. John Weafer who has been very helpful to some of us for a long time. Any time he was approached he was more than helpful. That was very much appreciated by Members across the House.

The Bill does a long overdue tidying up job given that the previous Act was in place for 77 years. Public transport at that stage was a total monopoly and at least this Bill will change the situation and make progress in terms of what is available to the public.

I compliment the Minister on allowing the Bill to begin in the Seanad. Some times we do not get the necessary opportunity to take Bills first in this House and they come to us from the Dáil as a fait accompli. This Bill was well teased out in this House. When anomalies were pointed out to the Minister he was more than willing to accept amendments, irrespective of which side of the House they came from. That is positive as far as any legislation is concerned. I thank the Minister and his staff and the staff of the House for the way they helped us to deal with the Bill.