Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

My colleague, Senator John Paul Phelan, is unable to be with us this morning. I understand he dealt with the Bill on Second Stage. I trust I speak on his behalf in thanking the Minister of State and his officials for presenting us with the legislation and bringing it to a conclusion. With the Bill being devoid of Committee Stage amendments, Committee Stage was dealt with rather quickly but that stems from the fact that there was a substantive debate on the Bill on Second Stage and there was general all-party agreement on the matter. The absence of rancour and debate is something we should welcome on this occasion.

This House, like the other House, often does a great deal of good, useful and important work, such as the passage of this Bill, without such work attracting any huge focus or there being any argument or division on it. At a time when politics is under such a negative spotlight, it is important to reflect that, week in, week out, month in, month out, both Houses do important and valuable processing of legislation which might appear uncontentious, even tedious and sometimes boring, but it is important for the overall good of the country and welfare of our citizens. A debate on the Rotterdam regulations, the detergents regulations, the REACH regulations and other such matters will not make the front page of any newspapers, especially our tabloids at this time when there is a different view of politics, but this is important legislative work and we have concluded consideration of another Bill.

I thank the officials, the Minister of State and those who presented the legislation. On behalf of my colleague, Senator John Paul Phelan, I wish the Minister of State well with the implementation of this Bill.