Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I appreciate everyone who has spoken in this debate, as well as those who were involved on the earlier Stages. This Bill is not perfect but I hope it can and will be improved. It falls quite far short of the aims, objectives and wishes of those of us who got together last May to work on it. I thank all who became involved in that endeavour, while knowing that this is only the first step. We have further to go and a lot more to do. There is a huge challenge for the construction industry, as Senator Mary White said.

I endorse what Senator Coghlan said about Senator O'Toole. When I needed help on how to go about this, I turned to Senator O'Toole who was very helpful, not just with this Bill but also over the past 18 years during which I have been a Member of the House. The Bill would not have come about but for Seán Gallagher having initiated it. He is in the Visitors Gallery. It may not have achieved everything he set out to do, including security of payment, but I hope that will be achieved later on.

I thank both the small and big players in the industry. As soon as the Bill was announced, they approached me and I was stunned to discover the problems in the construction sector. For many years, I have worked in a fairly rough and tough business, but it is nothing compared with the stories I heard about in the construction industry.

In particular, I want to mention Professor Rudi Klein who lives in England but came over to Ireland and has kept in touch with us. He gave us advice on how the British system works and put us in touch with the Australians, New Zealanders and others. A lot of work was put into this Bill by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, and the Minister of State, Deputy Dara Calleary, and their officials. In addition, the Leader, Senator Cassidy, found time for the House to deal with this legislation. The Minister of State said this was the last session of the current Seanad, but I hope not. I think there is a lot of work to do in the next month or two before we break up.

A lot of work was also undertaken by the Seanad Office, the Bills Office, the Office of the Attorney General and the Parliamentary Counsel which helped the Bill to pass through the House. It will eventually be a better Bill and if it is amended by the Dáil, it will have to come back to this House. I look forward to seeing everyone back in the Seanad when the Bill returns to the House.