Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

The Sinn Féin Deputies object to taking the Order of Business as proposed by the Tánaiste. I wish to correct one point in respect of Deputy Gilmore's portrayal of the now famous six, who he refers to as strays. If one takes a look at them, there is only one stray among the six and the other five are clearly prodigal sons. All too sadly, they will return to the fold as the need presents.

We have before us a Bill that the Government wants to force through, from Second Stage to Report and Final Stages, by 6.30 p.m. This is a serious Bill with widespread consequences for hundreds of thousands of the most marginalised people across the State. We are being asked to accept the limited opportunity presented to discuss it but also that Deputies must vote on the measures without proper perusal and debate. We have a responsibility to give every Bill a fair hearing and careful scrutiny. I wonder if the powers of the Ceann Comhairle allow him to intervene and make a judgment in the interests of the people and this assembly that what was forced through on the Order of Business yesterday in respect of the ordering of the conduct of debate on this Bill was in contravention of all norms that should apply in this House.

This is a serious Bill, with major consequences for many people. It is a travesty. This Government might as well rule by decree from Government Buildings, such is the contempt it shows this Chamber and the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Ministers for Finance and Social and Family Affairs who are directly responsible are not even in the Chamber as we consider how this Bill will proceed this morning. I and the Sinn Féin Members absolutely object, not only to the ordering but to the absolutely disgraceful intent of this legislation.

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