Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The fact that the amendments have been ruled out of order leaves us in a difficult position. The Government is not accepting the alternatives proposed. I acknowledge the point being made by Deputy O'Dea that it is a very strong statement to make to criminalise a person but I do not have a problem with it. That said, if the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU, and individual unions are saying that the legislation should be more balanced and that the four weeks should be extended to 104 weeks in the context of remuneration, in those circumstances, I support section 9 on the basis that the alternatives to it have been ruled out of order.