Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In terms of the schedule before us, there is no need to take Second Stage of the Finance Bill right through to midnight. It is an extraordinary situation that we will be commencing the Finance Bill at about 9.45 p.m. By my calculation, all the significant speeches by the Minister and the spokespersons will take us through to about 11.45 p.m. This is not emergency legislation. There is nothing of huge consequence in the Finance Bill itself. I do not mean that in a negative way, it is just that nothing is required to be passed by midnight. I know the Bill will also be discussed on Thursday. To be frank, the Finance Bill should be discussed in broad daylight and should be given a reasonable timescale. It does not have to finish on Thursday. In previous years, Finance Bills went on longer. I do not understand what the rush is. I certainly think that it is not good for Parliament that the very first consideration of the Finance Bill would be at 9.45 p.m. right through to midnight. I just do not see why. It is almost reminiscent of December when we are rushing things thought prior to the Christmas break. We are now in springtime and I do not see the necessity for this. I think it is wrong for Parliament. The Finance Bill is important legislation that deserves its proper priority space within the scheduling of the House's business. In addition, the contributions of Members should get as full exposure as possible. I hope the Taoiseach is not guillotining the Bill, although it seems that he will on Thursday. That is something to which we would be very much opposed.

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