John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)

I have no wish and I am sure Members do not wish to engage in a long debate on this issue. President Jefferson once disagreed with a judgment of the great American jurist, John Marshall. In trying to explain the difference between the Executive and Judiciary, the president stated, "John Marshall has given his judgment; now let him now enforce it". In the same way, while Deputies may or may not agree with a judgment, we have to acknowledge that somebody must make it. I am the Ceann Comhairle entrusted with having to make this judgment and I am not only entitled to make it but obliged to do so.

Deputy Barrett and others referred to the Long Title to the Bill. It will be clear to Members that the Long Title to legislation in this House is voted upon and agreed on after the end of Committee Stage and after other sections have been dealt with. The reason is that the Long Title reflects the contents of the legislation, not the other way around.

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