Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)

I agree with the previous speakers. What is proposed is unacceptable. I look forward to the Minister's explanation of what is proposed. This legislation was published a number of years ago. We were told on Committee Stage that it had to be rushed through but then it appeared to go into a black hole for 12 months. We subsequently received a series of amendments and we received further amendments this morning. Will the Minister explain whether he knows what is happening regarding this Bill? No one has objections to considering amendments to a Bill that will improve it. It seems that the Minister and his Department are all over the place in regard to this legislation.

We accept that legislation is needed and that what is proposed in the Bill should be done, sooner rather than later. I do not understand from where the Minister and his advisers are coming. The Minister might explain the delay in circulating these amendments. Perhaps he should consider deferring, even for a day or two, the taking of this Bill to give us an opportunity to consider some of the more substantive amendments.

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