Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senators for their very constructive engagement on the Bill. The Minister for Finance was in the House during the Second Stage debate. I thank Senators for allowing the Bill to progress this evening by agreeing to take all Stages. I thank all of the Senators who contributed and in particular those who tabled insightful amendments. We are entering a new era of fiscal responsibility. There is a clear need to have an independent authority vetting the work of government and independently assessing how we are doing. It is important to note that in order to ratify the stability treaty, we must fulfil the fundamental condition of enacting this legislation. The immediate concern is that the Bill is passed by both Houses and is then signed by the President. Ireland will then be able to sign the stability treaty. I again thank Senators for their co-operation.