John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)

Before we begin, I wish to clarify for the benefit of member the application of Standing Order 56 on reopening the debate on a matter discussed in the last six months. It might appear that the Second Stage of the Bill following so immediately after the Private Members' motion on the economic crisis, which concluded yesterday, is in breach of Standing Order 56. That is not the case. There is a hierarchy of matters before the House in which Bills take precedence over all other matters. For that reason, debate on a Bill cannot be precluded by an earlier debate on a motion which addressed the same topic.

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