Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

The only parliamentary method available to us is to oppose the late sitting. I oppose the late sitting because, as I explained this morning, this is an entirely inadequate and disrespectful way to process a Bill of such importance. With some 40 pages of amendments, some of which are coming in as we speak, it is unconscionable that we make law in this way.

I ask the Taoiseach to agree to refer the Bill in its entirety to Committee Stage and to permit the House to sit for an additional week. This will allow us time to take advice on the amendments that have appeared this morning and last night, and give us the opportunity to scrutinise the main committee and to debate the issues, having regard to the specific request from Mr. Justice Morris that we do so. Mr. Justice Morris had the Bill, as it was, before him when he made his recommendation.

Why should the House rise on 1 July?

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