Joe O'Toole (Independent)

While I do not want a debate on No. 1, I would like the House to be aware that a precedent of taking such motions without debate is not being established. No. 1 has been discussed by a committee and has been returned to the House, which should be at liberty to discuss it if it believes it requires further discussion. We have agreed in the interests of having a smooth operation that, where it is proposed to refer a measure before the House to a committee, we do not discuss the measure until it is returned by the committee. The basis on which we do it is that, when it returns from the committee, it is open to discussion. I do not seek a discussion on No. 1 because I know it has been discussed at length. My point is that the matter should not be let pass without taking note of the agreed manner in which we deal with it.