Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I recognise the challenge that scheduling poses for the Senator and her issue in this area. We are at a time of year for the Houses when there is a huge flurry of legislative activity in a normal context, and very large Bills the Government has made a commitment to getting through are also moving through the Houses. Our engagement with the Whip's office is that in order to allow this legislation to pass all Stages in the next few weeks on a truncated timeline, the best approach is to introduce it in the Seanad before introducing it in the Dáil, which will allow it to be debated in both Houses and also allow time for the work that needs to be completed on the NDA section. There is no reason for it other than timing. I recognise the challenge that poses to the Senator, which is why I have extended that offer to engage with her and other interested members of this committee on the text of the NDA amendments once we have them and in advance of their being submitted to the Bills Office in preparation for being debated in committee and in the Dáil.