Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This is flawed legislation in terms of commitments made in the programme for Government. One could re-name the Bill the health (alteration of the programme for Government) Bill because it is not reflective. In the programme for Government the Government stated it would deal with the related problem of legislation being shunted through at high speed. Dáil Standing Orders provide for a minimum period of two weeks between each stage of a Bill, except in exceptional circumstances. I have no understanding of the reason this is an exceptional circumstance. I understand the budgetary position the Government is in and that it is trying to make the case in that regard.

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