Vol. 170 No. 24
I move:
That pursuant to subsection 2º of section 2 of Article 25 of the Constitution, Seanad Éireann concurs with the Government in a request to the President to sign the National Development Finance Agency Bill, 2002, on a date which is earlier than the fifth day after the date on which the Bill shall have been presented to her.
I thank the Chair, the House, the staff and all the Senators who have contributed to the debate on this Bill. I was pleased to come here on behalf of the Minister for Finance to assist in ensuring its passage. I am confident that, as the year ends, this legislation will enable the Government to proceed with the various public projects that are critically important to the future infrastructure of our country. As we start the new year, I am confident that the new structure we have created will be of major benefit to the people. I wish everybody a happy, holy Christmas and a much better new year.
I thank the Minister of State and the Minister for Finance for taking us through the debate on this important legislation, which will prove significant in the years ahead. I reciprocate the Minister of State's seasonal wishes.
I join Senator Mansergh in thanking the Minister of State and the Minister for Finance. I have some reservations about the Bill. I am disappointed that sufficient time was not allocated to allow us to complete the various Stages. However, I do not blame the Minister of State for that. I wish the Minister of State and everyone else all the best for Christmas.
It has been a pleasure to be here and I am delighted to meet the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy. It has also been a pleasure to witness all Stages of this Bill being passed in the Seanad.
When is it proposed to sit again?
At 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.
