I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Deputies for their contributions on the legislation, and particularly for the co-operation. I am very grateful to them.
Private Members' Business. - Bord Glas Bill, 1989: Fifth Stage.
Question proposed: "That the Bill do now pass".
I wish the Minister well with the task we have given him. We have afforded him the opportunity, in a very positive fashion, of getting on with the job of further developing the industry which is badly in need of it. I expect the Minister will take on board the comments made by all the Members of the House on Committee Stage. The imposition of levies and charges is everybody's biggest initial fear when we are introducing new legislation. The Minister stated in no uncertain terms that the industry will be consulted. I am happy about this and I wish the new board every success.
We look forward with great interest to the developments which will take place under this Bill. When we joined the EC we expected that many jobs in the industrial sector would be lost and anticipated that the tremendous developments in the agricultural area in the creation of downstream industries would compensate for the loss of jobs in other areas. This has not happened in the traditional agricultural production and horticulture sectors. This Bill will give us an opportunity to promote the marketing and development of horticulture. I wish the Minister well with this project.
I should like to join with the other Deputies in wishing the Minister well with this very important project. I want to assure him that in future the Labour Party will support any initiatives taken by the Government which coincide with our political approach, as this measure does. We will closely monitor the operation of the board and refer to this on a regular basis in the House.
Question put and agreed to.