Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

That is good news from the Taoiseach. He has thought to hold a sitting on Friday and I am sure people will co-operate with that. I share the concern that we are on a very tight timeline in any event. We cannot afford any slippage. That is probably a concern across the House.

If I understand the Order Paper correctly, however, the Taoiseach is asking us to vote for an order on Thursday even though it seems that there is some doubt regarding the matter to be dealt with on Thursday. The Ceann Comhairle might clarify the position. The Taoiseach is now saying there is some question in respect of a verdict from the courts and what might or might not be brought forward. I am saying this in an absolutely supportive spirit because we want the legislation before the Houses. This is a critical debate and time is very tight. Can the Taoiseach clarify the intention of the House as regards Thursday and how the Friday sitting will be facilitated?

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