Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

Several references were made to next week's business, with which we are not dealing today. We will certainly take on board the views expressed by Members. The Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009 has gone through Second and Committee Stages during which Members had an opportunity to say what they needed to say. We are now dealing with Report and Final Stages. The legislation must be passed as quickly as possible in order that we can allow the new licensing and renewal system to be put in place. The Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009 is of regulatory importance and also needs to be passed by the House as soon as possible. The same urgency attaches to the European Parliament (Irish Constituency Members) Bill 2009. Perhaps if the House aimed to have the Order of Business agreed to before 1 p.m., there might be more time for the debates on these Bills. Given the circumstances, I am not in a position to change the order on the basis that it has been agreed with the Whips.

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