Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The kernel of this Bill is that it will stop opportunists with no interest or involvement in music, sport or entertainment at the expense of sports and music fans, sporting bodies, artists and promoters. They are not my words. Rather, they are the words of the Minister of State. That is good enough for me.

I thank the Minister of State for pursuing this matter as quickly as he has. I fully support every aspect of the Bill. I also thank the Minister of State for acknowledging the generous contributions the former Deputy, Mr. Noel Rock, the Minister for Health, Deputy Steven Donnelly, and Deputy Maurice Quinlivan have made to the Bill. The Minister of State left one person out whom I want to put on the record, namely, Deputy Denis Naughten, who did an awful lot of work and lifting in regard to the Bill which might have escaped some of us. It is positive legislation.

I take on board what Senator Mullen has said. We are at the end of a term and the Minister of State is a keen and diligent Minister and wants to get the Bill through the Houses. We not cannot countenance this practice continuing in the next session. I know we are under pressure and are committed, but I am supportive of every Stage of the Bill. I ask the Minister of State to take my comments back to his colleagues. Given all of the pressures and constraints, we must always afford all sides of the House and the other House time to engage with legislation. I thank the Minister of State and wish him every success with this important Bill.