Alex White (Labour)

I agree with those sentiments. There is much with which I disagree with regard to what the Minister said today in respect of our debate on the Bill. However, if all goes to plan on Tuesday, we will have a considerable opportunity to debate and contest all of those questions in the coming four weeks. That is where the debate belongs at this stage. This Oireachtas has come to an end. There should be an element of dignity when the Oireachtas or any House of Parliament finishes its business, which is what we are doing. Significant work was done today and yesterday in this Chamber on this Bill and careful consideration was given to it. Somebody mentioned "mature reflection", which recalls another era, but we are about parliamentary business here and the Minister has a good appreciation of parliamentary business and its importance. I thank him for that. I want, in particular, to thank the officials in the Department of Finance for their careful approach to the business at hand.

This is probably the last occasion where we will have an opportunity to say goodbye. On behalf of myself and my colleagues in the Labour Party, I wish the Cathaoirleach well. I do not know what his intentions are, but if he intends to run for election again, I wish him well. I thank him for his co-operation and for the great sense of humanity he has demonstrated in the Chair.