Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

On the Order of Business and the manner in which we order our business in the House, there are only three full weeks and one half week left before the summer recess. In the justice area, 48 Bills are promised and due, many of which are mentioned, on a daily basis, on the Order of Business over a wide range of issues, from the covert surveillance Bill to the criminal justice (cybercrime) Bill to the ratification of the UN Convention on Transnational Organised Crime Bill. I ask that, between now and next week, in conjunction with the Whip's office, a priority list be ordered so we can know in advance which of the 48 Bills are priority Bills and which of those priority Bills will be taken before the summer recess. I also ask the Taoiseach to guarantee, in the context of justice legislation, that in June, when we are nearing the summer recess, adequate time will be given to the debates and there will not be guillotine motions on a daily basis. Given the importance of all the legislation and the fact the House must give careful scrutiny to all of it, I ask for a priority list.

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