Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

While I appreciate that a certain amount of time has been provided to debate this important legislation last evening and this evening, the imposition of a guillotine is unacceptable. The Finance Bill is introduced every year to implement the budget proposals — this Bill relates to budget 2005. I cannot predict how much additional time will be required to debate the Bill after 7 p.m. I do not think the debate on the Bill should be brought to an end in such a fashion. All Members should be allowed to participate in a discussion on legislation of such critical importance. The Government should have provided for an open-ended debate. The Whips could have gauged how much time was required, but they did not do so. A guillotine is being imposed on the legislation on Second Stage, in effect, and it is likely that it will be repeated on further Stages. I strongly object to that because this Bill is of huge importance. All Members should have the chance to participate in the debate. I know all the Sinn Féin Members will not be able to do so because of the time restrictions being proposed.

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