Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

We have learned the degree to which Bills are subject to change on various Stages. The practice that has grown up in the past several years is accommodating for the Government but not for the Opposition or the public. In future, Ministers should bear in mind that it is not for their convenience alone that legislative procedures are put in place. I hope this is the last time we see this type of presentation to the House. It would have been far better to withdraw the entire Bill, redraft it from scratch and reintroduce it on Committee Stage.

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