Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)

I object to the use of the guillotine. This legislation is highly contentious and it has caused grave concern across rural Ireland. Time is required to examine it in great detail and to take the amendments. At least time must be given to consider the proposition and perhaps for the Government to reconsider it. The practice of using guillotines in important debates should not be tolerated in this Chamber or on Committee Stage. If we are to have our rightful say and to fulfil our representative duty, the Government cannot guillotine debate in an arbitrary and routine manner. It has become reminiscent of its Fianna Fáil colleagues with its increasing penchant for guillotines. We object to this proposal.

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