Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Although I might be wrong, this Bill has been one of the most debated Bills to have gone through the Seanad over the past two and a half years. I and Senator Humphreys have clashed on different parts of it on numerous occasions. We have debated nearly every part of the Bill, be it the burning, the hedge-cutting or the canals. It is a bit unfortunate that Senator Humphreys now, at the 11th hour, brings forward a new issue without proposing an amendment and without using the powers that he had over the past two years in which we debated this Bill. In fact, if I recall, we debated this Bill 19 or 20 hours on one sitting alone. It is a Bill that ran very late into the night under a former Minister. It is unfortunate for Senator Humphreys to come forward now, not even with a proposal but merely to block the Bill.

We have proven that the Bill has great merit. It is a Bill that has undergone due process all the way through. I am somewhat disappointed now at the last moment that Senator Humphreys has in many ways turned up with a front-page story to see if he could stir the pot. That is unfortunate.