Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

The Minister of State's last comment undermines the work of this House. Where does it leave us as legislators if predetermined consultations with parties outside this House determine the law and we cannot have an open debate to convince the Minister? That undermines this House and the work of Opposition Members who are elected to make law in the name of the people. I ask the Minister of State to come to this debate with an open mind and have less regard for the predetermined consultations than for the Members of the House.

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