Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I second the amendment. I apologise for being somewhat late. I arrived at the tail end of Senator Cummins's contribution and I was taken by his comments about the need to respect this House. The Minister has been present in the House for most of the debate, for which I give him credit. We have had a comprehensive, wide-ranging, engaging and constructive debate. Obviously, there will always be a difficulty in accepting amendments from the Opposition, but progress has been made and the Bill is getting a good airing. However, it is disappointing that the finished product in Seanad Éireann will inevitably be subject to change in the other House. It is also disappointing that decisions have been made to table amendments in the other House. We would be obliged if the Minister clarified his intentions in that regard. It would have been preferable if substantive, or even minor, changes which the Minister, his departmental officials and Cabinet colleagues have agreed had been introduced in this House.

This is a modest proposal. As Senator Cummins outlined, it is one the Minister should be in a position to accept, as a sign of the willingness of all Members of the Oireachtas to put through legislation over which they can stand. This is one of the more minor amendments tabled on Committee and Report Stages and I hope the Minister will give it some consideration.