Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The Bill in question was published at the end of 2005 and an Order for Second Stage is to be made. Thereafter the debate will take place.

On committees, the Government recommends only some minor changes. I refer to a committee on Northern Ireland to which the Government has been committed for some years. In addition, it has proposed a committee in which it is intended to deal with children's issues and related issues. Obviously, using the d'Hondt system would change the entire position. In the last Dáil, the Opposition held three chairs, including the Committee of Public Accounts, and it also held some of the vice-chair positions. Perhaps we could make progress on the basis of something near that. The Whip has made a suggestion that we can continue with the full range of committees.

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