Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Senators for their contributions to the Bill as it has moved through each Stage. I thank my officials for the huge work they have put into the Bill and all the support they have afforded me during this process. The Bill has already borne the impact of the committee system within the Oireachtas. As I said on Second Stage, the Bill went through a consultation process at the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications, which produced a report. That report included the input of all the people who will be affected by the implementation of such a Bill. From that input, my Department asked what was the best way to move forward on issues which are commonly acknowledged to be of concern.

I want to pick up on a point made by Senator O'Neill on clamping. While it is a matter which should affect a minority and then only rarely, like any activity, whether it happens frequently or infrequently, that is discharged in a public place and affects citizens, it must be done within a framework of good regulation and good law-making. That is what this Bill has sought to do.

I acknowledge in particular all Senators who have contributed. Concepts have been introduced including a charter of rights for those who have been clamped, a point Senator O'Neill has touched on. All other Senators dealt with areas of concern regarding issues such as signage, the times at which clamping takes place and the role of the clamping company. They are all issues I have sought to take on board at each Stage of the Bill.

I acknowledge in particular what Senator Barrett did in terms of the number of amendments he proposed and the strength of many of them. I was very pleased to see that many of them really improved the legislation and will ensure that when I bring it to the Dáil it is a better Bill due to that input. I thank him for that and acknowledge all the other Senators who have spoken, deepened my own understanding of the issues and given me ideas for how to continue to strengthen the regulation of the sector.

I will bring other Bills to the Seanad on issues such as the influence of drugs on drivers and matters concerning the marine sector, and I look forward to hearing the views of Senators on those. I am sure I will hear further ideas then that merit work and changes to those Bills also. I thank my officials and all Senators for their work. The Bill leaves the House as a stronger piece of legislation.