Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Feb 1974

Vol. 270 No. 7

Committee on Finance. - Local Government (Roads and Motorways) Bill, 1973: Fifth Stage.

Question proposed: "That the Bill do now pass".

Mr. Haughey

It would be ungracious if on this side of the House we did not express to the Minister our very sincere appreciation of the manner in which he has listened to our arguments on this piece of legislation and the willingness with which he has accepted some of the points of view we put forward. In dealing with this Bill, we have discharged our function as a Legislature in a reasonably adequate and satisfactory manner. I commend the Minister for his approach. I am optimistic enough to hope that this legislation will serve as a headline for the Minister's colleagues when they come here with similar kinds of legislation. I hope the Minister's attitude will be adopted by them on other occasions.

I hope the Minister will recognise that although the Opposition may give expression, trenchantly I hope, to political differences when the occasion demands, when we get an opportunity to be constructive we shall be so. The willingness with which the Minister has accepted some of the points of view put forward, and the way he has put down his own amendments to cover them, will encourage us to be equally constructive on other occasions.

Mr. Tully

I thank Deputy Haughey for his comments. I was very grateful to the House in general, and to members of the Opposition, for the way they approached this matter. We are elected to discuss and to deal with the work of the nation, how to make laws that will improve conditions for everyone. The approach adopted by the Opposition and by people from my side of the House helped to get through what I consider a useful Bill. As everyone knows, I am a very reasonable man and when the Opposition are reasonable they will find me reciprocating. I hope we will be able to continue this kind of approach because this is what the people have elected us to do, not the kind of things that occasionally and unfortunately we indulge in. As Deputy Haughey has said, I hope this example will be followed in the House for many years to come. This Bill which is now going to the Seanad is good legislation and it will have worthwhile results.

Question put and agreed to.