Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I apologise as I had to leave for a few minutes. Let me commence by saying that I fully respect this House. I was a Member of this House and I repeat that some of the best debates take place here. During my previous and current roles, I have taken on board issues in this House, listened, reflected and even made changes as a result of issues that have been raised here.

Over the past week and a half in the Dáil over 41 or 42 hours of debate, I took on board amendments and the spirit of amendments in respect of the plebiscite and the dispute resolution issues. We looked at the amendments that were put forward. I thought they were decent and appropriate. We looked at them from the point of view of the Attorney General as regards certain issues and a drafting perspective. I made slight changes but the spirit of the amendments was taken. One can ask Deputy Naughten or Deputy Donnelly about that. We made the changes and to be honest, we will do the same here.