Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

To avoid all of that time-wasting, I intend to indicate as I see it. If Deputies wish to challenge my decision, they will have the opportunity to call a vote. That applies to members or to the Minister, as appropriate. Is the proposal agreed? Agreed.

I appreciate that this is a departure from the past practice of declaring the result in favour of the Government side but, as I have already explained, it is likely to expedite proceedings and reduce the possibility of a division producing a result different from that declared by the Chair. It is also relieves the Minister of what he had to do throughout all of that elongated consideration of a request to be noted on each occasion. Before we commence consideration of the Bill and the amendments, does the Minister have any opening remarks he would like to make?