Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I hear what the Deputy is saying and she is making a good argument. However, the motion on how we proceed today was put last night and it was passed by a majority of the House. Under Standing Order 176(1) on the Second Reading of a Bill:

The debate on the motion, that the Bill be now read a second time, shall be confined to the general principle of the Bill.

It goes on to say what can be said. That motion determines how Second Stage is read and we copper-fastened that last night with two motions. I am not going to allow further debate on it. I will allow the Deputy to make another contribution but that is my understanding of it and I have taken the time to look at and reflect on it. There will be a chance to vote on Second Stage later on, as there is with the Second Stage of all Bills. There will be votes on various Stages, presuming they are called.

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