Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I, too, thank the Minister for his initial responses. I note that the Philippines' plan to ratify this agreement in August. The Minister of State has explained the reason for the delay. I would like to know if there are any other draft framework agreements coming down the track that will be brought before us at the last minute? It is wholly inappropriate that the Dáil and the Seanad may not have an opportunity to debate this motion. The Minister, in terms of his response, has assumed the consent of the Dáil on this motion but it will only be taken in by the Dáil at 6 p.m., without debate. There are some very important issues arising. In fairness, if there was ever a draft framework agreement that required debate in terms of how it will work into the future, particularly in light of the changes in the political situation in the Philippines, it is this one yet we are expected to pass it on the nod in the Dáil this evening.

It is the last week and the Dáil goes into recess for the summer tomorrow. It is not a situation that we, as parliamentarians, want to be put in. I do not think the Minister of State does either. How firm is the timeframe? It is scheduled to go to the Dáil today without debate. It is only being considered by the committee in a short hearing, which is wholly inappropriate. If we really want to look at the ramifications of the agreement and the potential positives and negatives, it requires debate in the Dáil. It should be put back to September; so what if we are the last. We are second last at present. It does not make a massive difference. There has been no contact from the Minister of State's Department. I can only speak for my party. I do not know if Deputy Crowe will agree there was no contact from the Minister of State's office on the urgent need for this to be passed until it was scheduled for today. Between now and the vote at 6 p.m. this evening, we will have to make a decision on supporting it. To bring forward an important framework document like this with all the issues associated with it, which Deputies Maureen O'Sullivan and Crowe and I have highlighted, and to deny our colleagues in the Dáil an opportunity to debate it is not acceptable. Is there a possibility of deferring it to September to allow a proper debate on it? We will have to see what we do later today.