Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

Amendments Nos. 69 and 71 deal with recalling the Dáil in an emergency. I understand the purpose of Deputies tabling amendments, including the formula "with the approval of Dáil Éireann". However, in an emergency when the House was not sitting it would be ridiculous to force the Minister to seek the approval of Dáil Éireann. I cannot accept either of those amendments.

We discussed the substance of Deputy Broughan's amendment No. 70 on Committee Stage when I told the Deputy that we would try to incorporate this. We have managed to incorporate the spirit of it in the Bill.

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