Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

As Members are aware, this Bill was published in 2005. A number of Deputies, including Deputy Quinn, have urged us to get on with it. We have a duty to pass our legislation in a timely fashion. This legislation is important and the Government has been mindful of constant demands from the other side of the House that we get on with this Bill and not allow it to lag behind.

In those circumstances, it is our intention to get it through all its final Stages today. In deference to the requests made by the opposite side of the House, the Government Chief Whip has indicated that he is prepared to discuss with the Opposition Whips allocating an hour from the debate on the Defence (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2006 [Seanad] to this matter if agreement can be reached in this regard.

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