Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Deputy McGrath did not read his amendments out but he read the names of those who signed them. The amendments deal with penalty points. I have been in this House a long time and recommittal is something unusual. It is only the second time since I became Leas-Cheann Comhairle that we have had one, having had one on a Finance Bill at one stage. The Business Committee will have to look at this. Members will recall that Report Stage was open-ended until the Business Committee decided that the first contribution should be seven minutes. Unfortunately, we are not on Report Stage and perhaps it is time for the Business Committee to look at time constraints. We are on Committee Stage at the moment and I have no control over that, except to say that a Member cannot wander beyond the amendments. There is a wide scope but the Chair is not responsible for the introduction of these measures. We may have a long way to go and we have to learn from this.

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