Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Before I get into the specifics of this Bill, I want to raise something frustrating and concerning with the Minister of State, Deputy Ossian Smyth. Yesterday at 4.10 p.m. we received an email from the Bills Office to tell us that amendments to this Bill had to be tabled by this morning at 11 a.m. We are still debating this Bill. That is an unacceptably short timeframe for which to have a deadline for amendments for such a technical Bill. Indeed, in the case of any Bill, to give allow less than 24 hours to table amendments is completely unacceptable. This issue, as well as the need to have this Bill in place, was first mooted by the European Parliament last October. Now, to squash all this debate, including the tabling of the amendments, into such a short timeframe, is completely undemocratic. I ask the Minister of State to ensure sufficient time is given so we can have a considered review of this legislation and can table considered amendments.

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