Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity of speaking on the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011. I welcome the Bill, but I am disappointed by how the Minister, Deputy Howlin, is handling it in the House here tonight. I am surprised at him because he gave a clear commitment when he took office that he would be open and allow for discussion.

Nothing epitomises more my disappointment than the last words of his speech, when he stated: "I look forward to hearing the views of the House on the Bill and to considering amendments and suggestions put forward by Deputies." There are 21 amendments before the Minister tonight and he is allowing 30 minutes. There was a vote here earlier in the day to allow more time for Committee Stage. Second Stage, this general debate, will run from now, with an interruption for Private Members' business for an hour and a half, until 10 o'clock. If a vote is called at 10 o'clock, it will be 10.20 p.m. before we get to commence Committee Stage and the Minister wants the entirety of the Committee Stage amendments to be dealt with and Report and Final Stages to be completed in ten minutes. There are 21 amendments and the Minister comes in here and states that he looks forward to considering the amendments.

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