Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

The Minister has sprung these amendments on the Dáil. They only appeared yesterday on the publication of Report Stage. They amount to a separate Bill and should have had a separate explanatory memorandum. We should have been given the opportunity to properly discuss and debate the measures involved that clearly affect not only the Mental Health Act 2001, but all the way through to 2009.

There has been no briefing on the net effect of the measures now appended to the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009. This an outrageous way to do business. These important matters require proper scrutiny in the House, whether they are right or wrong or whether we come to an agreement that they are required. The way the business is being conducted is the most vexatious aspect of the situation.

I understand this is being done on the advice of the Attorney General. His opinions are under considerable contest at the present time, particularly with regard to judges and pension levies. Therefore, he may not have a monopoly of wisdom on this matter either and could well be wrong. While I do not link the two matters, Deputies, nevertheless, have a right to make it clear that the Attorney General is not infallible. These matters should have been properly addressed in a separate Bill with a separate explanatory memorandum. The issue should have been addressed in the House in that way.

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