Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I came into this debate late but I have been listening to Senator McDowell. I appeal to the Minister of State to actually listen to Senator McDowell. He has significant experience in Cabinet having been Attorney General. When he speaks about these things, he tends to know what he is talking about. What he is saying makes absolute sense and perhaps the Minister of State might reflect on it. That is the idea behind this Chamber, which has successfully amended many pieces of legislation over the years.

I have been here more than 11 years now. I remember even in my first Seanad, when the Government had a whopping majority, Senator Sean Barrett at the time tabled many amendments that the Government accepted because they made absolute sense. Therefore, listening to Senator McDowell and, indeed, Senators Boyhan and Craughwell, speaking on this issue, I think they make much sense. I would appeal to the Minister of State to maybe reflect and take on board what they are saying and buy into the ethos of what the Seanad Chamber is, which is a Chamber that improves legislation and often results in clouds of common sense coming down to situations that may not have been shrouded in common sense before.