Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)

With regard to the Foreshore and Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Bill 2009, which is ordered for tomorrow, I understand there was no agreement among the Whips that there should be a closure of that debate on Second Stage or that all Stages should be taken tomorrow in the House. The communication on the Bill states the Department wishes all Stages to be taken in the House in plenary session and that the Bill will not be referred to the appropriate committee, the Select Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. I will not delay the House other than to give notice that this is a very serious issue because what is proposed in the legislation affects five foreshore Acts, the Harbours (Amendment) Act and the ports legislation. Most important-----

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