Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

May I be of assistance, a Cheann Comhairle? I have listened to what all the Deputies have said and it is important that we are in a position to conduct our business as best we can, given the exigencies of the situation and the importance of the legislation we are passing. Given the views expressed and out of respect for the co-operation of the House in regard to these matters, we should be in a position to conclude the Second Stage debate tonight. In that way the legislation will have been agreed in principle with or without a division in the House, which is a matter for parties to determine on the conclusion of Second Stage. It is important, however, to have agreement on Second Stage of the legislation tonight. If we could finish that at midnight and conclude Committee and Report Stages in the morning, it would be sufficiently positive and determinate of the signal we wish to send to the markets, which is consistent with the statement of principle we had this morning. Thankfully for all of us that has been well received by the markets. In an effort to ensure that we can conduct our business without any fault, and to get this through the House as quickly as possible, I would ask Members to take Second Stage from 10 p.m. We can have a decision on Second Stage at midnight and conclude our deliberations on Committee and Report Stages from 10.30 a.m. tomorrow. If that is agreeable to everybody, I ask the House to adjourn until 10 p.m. and proceed on that basis.

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