Before commencing Report Stage I remind Senators they may speak only once, except the proposer of an amendment who may reply to the discussion on the amendment. Also on Report Stage each amendment must be seconded.
Ordnance Survey Ireland Bill, 2001: Report and Final Stages.
Government amendment No. 1:
In page 14, line 42, to delete "is nominated to stand as a candidate for election" and substitute "is elected".
Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. Cullen): I am pleased to be in a position to make the changes I signalled earlier in the Seanad. I was not sure at the time that it was possible but I said if possible I would accept it. The amendment meets the fundamental point raised in Senator Doyle's amendment and also the points raised by Senators on both the Government and on Opposition sides who put forward cogent and coherent arguments. I am pleased to amend the Bill in the Seanad rather than wait to do so in the Dáil.
I thank the Minister of State for accepting this amendment and the speed with which he has done so. If the amendment was to be made it was important that it be done in the Seanad.
I congratulate Senator Doyle on tabling the amendment and I congratulate the Minister of State on common sense, something which occasionally is in short supply. It is good that something which did not add to the Bill but which could seriously take away from the constitutional rights of people, as Senator O'Toole said, is being deleted.
I commend the Minister of State on his flexible approach and prompt response to the issues raised here and Senator Doyle on tabling the amendment.
I thank the Minister of State. I am absolutely delighted that the credit for the change in the amendment is coming from this House and, in particular, from Senator Doyle, who makes a great contribution here. We do not like it when a Bill is dealt with here and, having sought various amendments, inevitably it is returned to this House from the Dáil with all the amendments we had proposed and for which we do not get credit. I thank him for giving this House credit for this amendment.
I thank the Minister of State for taking on board the views expressed. In fact he has gone a little further than I expected. I suggested during the period of an election that a board member would have to step aside but maybe some of Senator Doyle's colleagues would take that on board in the other House.
Amendment agreed to.
Bill, as amended, received for consideration.
Question proposed: "That the Bill do now pass."
I thank the Minister of State and his staff for putting the Bill through the House. This Bill was initiated in the Seanad and for that reason it was more interesting. I thank the Minister of State for listening attentively to the views expressed by Senators. When the Bill was initiated I had only a general knowledge of what Ordnance Survey did. Having done some research for Second Stage I was fascinated by the progress it has made. I avail of this opportunity to wish OSI management and staff every success when established as a commercial body.
I reiterate what Senator Doyle has said. When a Bill is initiated in the Seanad it is thoroughly debated and amendments are suggested. I wish Ordnance Survey Ireland every success in its future operations.
I congratulate the Minister of State on the Bill and hope Ordnance Survey Ireland becomes a profitable company in a short time.
I thank the Minister of State for bringing the Bill before the House. I wish the new company well. The Ordnance Survey has provided an important service as stated in our Second Stage contributions. I wish it well under the new arrangement which will allow it to be commercial. I hope it all works well for staff members who will transfer to the new company.
Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. Cullen): I thank Senators for their contribution to the Bill not only today but on Second Stage and I appreciate the comments made. I was happy to bring forward amendments to the Bill which had been suggested here by Senator O'Toole, in particular, in relation to education being mentioned in the Bill. It was also mentioned by many Members during the debate on Second Stage. I am delighted there was such a fruitful discussion and that I could listen to Members and make appropriate adjustments. I hope the Members are aware that I take the Seanad seriously; I always have, given that I am a former Member. Nobody can claim legislation is perfect but, collectively, we have much to contribute to it and that has been demonstrated in the context of this Bill.
I thank my staff and those involved in Ordnance Survey Ireland for their help in preparing the Bill. I look forward to its speedy passage through the Lower House and into law. I also wish the OSI every success in the future. We look forward to great things coming from the organisation.
Question put and agreed to.
Sitting suspended at 3.50 p.m. and resumed at 4 p.m.