Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes, it is my intention to commence Report Stage of the Judicial Council Bill tomorrow afternoon in the Seanad. With co-operation it may well be possible to complete Report Stage tomorrow, whereupon I will be keen to contact the Business Committee with a view to commencing Second Stage in the Dáil. I do not have proposed dates with me but I would be happy to have the Opposition spokespersons, Deputies Ó Laoghaire and O'Callaghan, contacted immediately after this meeting to ascertain their views on the matter. We have the remainder of this week and then three more weeks. My desire is that we could schedule Committee Stage of that Bill during the course of those three weeks. Again, I would be in the hands of the committee in that regard. There is a public sense of urgency with that legislation. It is one of several tranches of priority legislation. However, I understand the committee has a schedule of business and certainly it would not be my intention either to interrupt or disrupt that. I am keen to contact the Deputies in advance of Report Stage in the Seanad tomorrow.