Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Stagg for acknowledging that we have tried to avoid guillotines since October. Inevitably, as we approach the end of the session, we must get the legislation through. I take the point that if all Bills were ready and out of the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel and the Departments, the problem might never arise. However, there are always issues to be examined and the process does not always work in a perfect way. I acknowledge that but is not necessarily anyone's fault; it is just the way the parliamentary session works. In the remainder of the session, we must try to complete some important Bills and there is no way of doing so in the limited time available other than that proposed. I cannot change that.

Question, "That the proposal for dealing with No. 1 be agreed to", put and declared carried.

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