Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

I do not propose to discuss the matter. I merely want to bring to your attention the recommendations of the All-Party Committee on the Constitution. The committee in its sixth report recommended, for example, that even "the Standing Orders of the House should be amended so as to embody a presumption that every TD and Senator will have sufficient opportunity to make whatever contribution he or she wishes to make". The report further states:

Measures should be taken to ensure that a Bill to amend the Constitution is fully debated by the Dáil. Given the importance of a constitutional amendment, every Deputy and every Senator should have the opportunity to express his or her views. The Bill therefore should be debated in principle and in detail by each House. To ensure this, the committee considered whether a minimum period for the Oireachtas debate should be specified in the Constitution.

In conclusion, the report recommends that the lower limit, namely the lower limit provided in the referendum Act 1994, should not be otherwise resorted to because it is not ordinarily adequate. Moreover, its use for contentious or complex proposals might give the people the impression that they are being unduly pressed into taking a particular decision.

The report is referring to the 30 to 90 days range and is saying the 30 days should not be resorted to except in emergency circumstances. I agree with the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, and with the All-Party Committee on the Constitution. This is not an emergency measure but it is transparently being rushed through for base political motives. Therefore, my party will oppose the Order for Second Stage.

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