Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

We have rights as individual Members and as representatives of Opposition parties. It is the Ceann Comhairle's responsibility to defend these rights and to be fair to every Member of this House. The proposed motion, which apparently must be taken without debate, will in effect stand down the rights of Deputies. It is the Ceann Comhairle's job to defend our rights, ensure that every Member is treated fairly and prevent the Government from using its parliamentary majority to stand down the rights of the Members of this Parliament. It can use its majority and I will accept defeat where it proposes Bills or appropriate measures, but it is unconstitutional of the Government to use its parliamentary majority to stand down the rights of Members of this Parliament.

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