Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Senator Craughwell saying the Bill is good and that is important. This is why I am back in the Seanad today after a delay - to get best practice legislation for Ireland. I am here today to speak on amendments Nos. 1 and 2. There has been significant engagement. I want to go through the amendments and talk through the concerns that Senators have. This is exactly my role. I have made significant changes to the Bill. I ask Senators to permit me to address the Bill and talk through the amendments. It will be important.

With regard to expertise, section 14 of the 1993 Act requires the IAA to provide advice to the Minister. With regard to the aviation sector of the Department, there is significant regulatory expertise. The AAIU also has technical expertise. The Department also contracts technical expertise as required.

It is very important that we deal with the issues today and talk to them and debate them. I want to hear the views of Senators. That is what we want to do to put forward the best legislation. That is what I am here to do today. If there are other issues, Senators can raise them as a Commencement matter or in separate debates. What I want to do today is to get the legislation through as quickly as possible and debate it, while respecting the views of Senators of all parties. This is my role.