Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want to try to be helpful if I can. I do not want to deal with the substance of the Bill. Rather, I wish to focus on the technical difficulties with which we are faced. It would be ludicrous to proceed on the basis that we accept that what we have done is flawed but we will continue with the process and expect the Seanad to clear up the mess in some kind of ham-fisted way. This is really an appalling vista, if that is not too strong a phrase. I have some sympathy for the Minister because I know the difficulties he has at Cabinet level and I know the issues he has with one member in particular and his band of merry warriors. I served with him in the Seanad and I know his form.

The thing that catches me out a bit is how this creates a problem for Sinn Féin because I am at a loss to understand how it is beholden to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. It entered into an agreement with the Minister for Justice and Equality in good faith and I understand that. I might not agree with it but I understand it. However, when an event happens, as happened last night, surely Sinn Féin will not continue with this charade of allowing the Seanad to clear up the mess created by this House. Surely Sinn Féin has more respect for its role as a key Opposition party and will not allow the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to engage in bullying because he is a member of the Cabinet. Surely Sinn Féin will call him out on that and support the House in seeking the withdrawal of the Bill.

Sinn Féin can support the contents and provisions of the Bill with which it has sought to agree. Whatever grubby deal it has done in some other way, it will get all of that in due course. It should, however, show some respect for the House for God's sake. We spoke for a long time about ensuring that those of us outside of Government would have some level of input into the workings of this House. The first opportunity Sinn Féin got, however, it has chosen to work hand in glove with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and bully the Minister opposite in order to drive ahead regardless of the mistakes that have been made. It can still get its way but it should show respect for the House, its procedures and the way in which legislation is or should be properly formulated. We should do the best we can do with it in this House. Fair enough, if something arises at a later stage, all the other checks and balances that exist can be applied. However, let us not let a Bill go out from here and say "Sure we know we made a mess of it and we'll let some other organ of Government or of the procedure and process tidy it up." I recognise that some of Sinn Féin's members are relatively new to the democratic process here but in respect of their understanding of it, I appeal to them to come on board in respect of this matter.

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