Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)

Last Thursday I raised the issue of the Nuclear Test Ban Bill, which has no explanatory memorandum. Will you advise me, a Cheann Comhairle, if it is in accordance with Standing Orders that a Bill going through the House does not have an explanatory memorandum? When I raised the issue the Tánaiste said she would organise a one-to-one for me with the Minister. If I had a one-to-one I would have been told that should a bomb go off in this country we would be fined €5,000 and, perhaps, sent to jail for 12 months. Given that such significant legislation is going through Committee Stage tomorrow, why is there no explanatory memorandum available which would make some of the more ridiculous aspects of the Bill clear to read?

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