Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

On behalf of the Sinn Féin Deputies I object in the strongest possible terms to the guillotining of the Report and Final Stages of this Bill. We are aware that today disabled people from all over the country are gathering to protest outside the gates of Leinster House at this fundamentally flawed Bill. To add insult to injury, a guillotine will be imposed at 1.30 p.m. Some 100 amendments remain to be addressed. It is absolutely unacceptable. Over the entire Committee and Report Stages of this Bill, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, in whose name this legislation and the amendments presented by his Department appear, has not participated in the discourse and debate on this Bill during those critical Stages. That is a glaring omission on the Minister's part. Great credit is due to all the Opposition spokespersons, including my colleague, Deputy Ó Snodaigh, who have worked so hard in the preparation of amendments to try to rescue the Bill so that it would go some way towards meeting the real needs of people with physical, intellectual and other disabilities. It is outrageous that a guillotine is being imposed at 1.30 p.m. I object in the strongest possible terms. Even at this late stage I ask the Minister to have a change of heart and allow the process to continue. More importantly he could agree to withdraw the Bill at this juncture.

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