Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the passage of the Bill and commend the Minister on making significant progress in the area. I also recognise the work done by the officials in ensuring all-island North-South co-operation and bringing policies much closer together. The Minister's approach to the Bill has helped considerably and a number of other Ministers might take a leaf from his book. He listened to amendments, took them on board and when he returned it was obvious the amendments were put in place. We note that a number of them have been taken on board and it makes for better legislation at the end of the day and much of that comes down to the Minister's approach in the area.

On the Order of Business I raised the fodder crisis and I ask the Leas-Chathaoirleach for some leniency because the Leader advised me to raise the issue while the Minister was in the House today. Where do we stand on the fodder crisis? Last week we raised a particular issue of fodder coming in from France which was being stalled at the ports because of industrial disputes.