Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senators for their valued contributions to the debate on the Companies Bill 2012. I welcome the general expressions of support for the Bill and I am glad that it has passed all Stages.

I was not present for the initial debate on Committee and Report Stages but I know that Members raised many issues and engaged with the process. I thank them for their hard work. There were many positive contributions spanning across a range of issues. Some of the issues raised were not necessarily about this legislation but we have taken note of them. I thank Members for the collaborative approach taken to the development of the Bill. I dealt with the Bill in committee and at all times members were supportive of the general thrust of the Bill and were genuinely trying to work on it to ensure it would be enacted. I appreciate the time and effort of members from all parties.

It is a landmark Bill that has involved years of work. I think it has been worked on for between ten and 12 years in the Department, the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and the experts in the Company Law Review Group as well. The overall rationale for the Bill is to improve Ireland's competitive position as a location for business investment, and the objective is to have the legislation enacted as soon as possible.

I thank Members for their co-operation in the passage of the Bill. I appreciate it.