Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I will not be obstructionist, but this Bill proposes to deal with approximately €400 billion of an underwrite. This morning at 7 a.m. there was a Government statement and then the Government Whip said he hoped to have the opportunity to have a debate with the Opposition at some time in the afternoon. That debate was to be at 5 p.m. There was a Whips' meeting and during the course of that meeting on three successive occasions the situation changed. Then a Bill was to be produced for 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., and now it is 7.30 p.m. This is no way to treat the Opposition parties or indeed members of the Government party, with a Bill as serious as this one.

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