Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

This is the first time in the history of the State that the Dáil has the prospect of dealing with its own agenda. This smacks of the same thing we heard from the last Government to the effect that it was a national government. In those days, anyone behind the division barrier on my left was treated as though they did not exist. We are seeing exactly the same scenario today. Either there is a Business Committee or there is not. This Dáil is not only made up of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

I have serious problems with the Bill. I agree with some of what those in Fianna Fáil are saying in respect of the inclusion of other areas. However, the idea that the business of the Dáil can be changed in such a unilateral way is completely unacceptable.

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