James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome members and witnesses back in the room and thank them for bearing with us as we took some advices. A point of information had arisen which was of great concern. I can advise the meeting that it has been addressed. I spoke to the Government Chief Whip and the clerk has spoken to the Bills Office to be sure to be sure. A concern was raised very legitimately, and it was of significant concern to the committee, that the Bill might have been out the gap, so to speak, and had been published. However, I am told that it has not been published and will not be published until we have completed our scrutiny which was planned for today. The intended timeline is that the Bill would be published tomorrow or possibly late this evening but that there would be a reasonable time for amendments to be tabled. A reasonable period is not defined but I take it to be a minimum of 24 hours. I also understand that the Ceann Comhairle has discretion to allow windows. I am told that we will not end up in a situation where amendments are closed before the meeting has concluded. There will be a period following the meeting in which amendments can be tabled. I am also advised that the Bill has not been published and will not be published until we conclude at least this session. It is our intention to produce a report, albeit an expedited report, this afternoon or this evening following this session. I thank Deputy Pringle for raising the point. I think that it has been addressed. I do not know what was happening but I am told that it is not happening now anyway.