Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We had a significant discussion and debate on this at the Business Committee. We facilitated a briefing, and an early draft of the Bill was sent to everyone with opportunities for amendments as well. We have also given a six-hour debate on Second Stage and have agreed to facilitate additional time for Report and Final Stages on Thursday. It is also important to say that there is priority required for this Bill. There are issues and further consequences around it not being progressed. We would like to see it progress to the Seanad next week. We are taking people's concerns on board. The Minister for Justice and Equality will respond to people's concerns on Second Stage. That is the purpose of Second Stage debate.

On speaking time, what was sought before the recess was to give back bench Deputies and Deputies on the Government side some increase in their proportionate speaking time, which they have a right to have in this House. There has been no reduction in the allocation of speaking time for any smaller party or group. It is important not to misrepresent the factual change that occurred prior to the Dáil recess. There is a zero percent reduction in speaking time allocation for smaller parties and groups. It is important we have a factual position on this. We have sought to work with the Business Committee, and it was agreed at the Business Committee, as the Ceann Comhairle will remember, that if we provided a briefing and early publication of the Bill, all Members of the House would seek to facilitate this because of its urgency and importance in the context of Covid and the response to Covid from the State.

If people want to delay this Bill for a number of weeks, it will have a public health consequence. It is important for people to have that in mind as well if they are to oppose the business today.

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