Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The order of the House states that if the proceedings are not previously concluded they will be brought to a conclusion at 5.30 p.m. If they are previously concluded, the guillotine will not come into operation. The reason we have to insert this provision is because of the weight of business the Whip has to deal with in the remaining time available to us while at the same time, as is this case, being able to give what would be regarded as a reasonably adequate time for the consideration of these proceedings.

See this speech in context