Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will accept what the Minister said because he has the legal advice available to him. My one concern is that while he might have the best will in the world in terms of amending the Bill at a later stage, he might have a difficulty in securing time on the floor of the House because if we do not pass the Bill by 10 p.m., I understand it will be the new year before we will be able to come back to conclude it. The purpose in having the legislation go through on Report and Final Stages is that we will have had an opportunity to make amendments to improve it. That is what we are doing. I accept that perhaps that is not being done in the most appropriate manner in this regard, but the reason we have tabled amendments is to try to improve the legislation. I will take the Minister's ruling that he cannot accept this amendment because it would be unconstitutional, but I hope he will approach subsequent amendments we table in a more open manner.

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