Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State who has been very busy in recent days delivering something extremely positive for citizens. I also salute the Bill. This is a classic example of positive politics, with parties collaborating and working together on an issue that will be of benefit to citizens and businesses, especially small and medium enterprises. All Senators will be able to cite examples from their localities of things that would have been done better if a different outcome had been achieved in the tendering process. I have in mind some environmental projects in my local area where a better outcome would most definitely have been achieved if things had been done differently. I fully agree that tendering must be done properly with proper consultation.

The Bill provides a strong framework and has benefited from engagement with Chambers Ireland and the other bodies that fed into the process. The various working groups on small and medium enterprises and other matters, which are working under the auspices of the Minister of State, will make professional recommendations. Senator Darragh O'Brien acknowledged that the Bill is a working document that will require amendment when it comes before the Dáil. It should be amended in a spirit of collaboration and positive politics to achieve a good outcome. The Lower House should learn from the Upper House in terms of how we have engaged on this legislation. I would like this type of engagement to occur with many more Bills. Perhaps it is because we are dealing with a young Minister of State who probably views politics from a different perspective from his predecessors. I believe in consensus when it can achieve good results.

With that, I wish the Bill well and look forward to observing from this House its passing through the Lower House.