Seanad debates

Wednesday, 11 December 2002

Senator Ryan raised the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill, 2002. I do not wish to be antagonistic. I thank the Senator for his telephone call about the matter yesterday and for what he said earlier. We had an informal agreement, but I understand those things change from time to time and there is no great angst about that. We had a four hour debate on Second Stage and I do not know how that could be construed as rushed. At the end of Second Stage, everyone who wished to vote was given the opportunity to do so. Senator Ryan called the vote, as is his right, and we participated in it. It is wrong to say Committee Stage is following Second Stage. The proof of this is that the Senator has tabled nine amendments. How did he manage to do so? The amendments look weighty and good and a great deal of thought was put into them. I do not see the reason for panic in regard to this Bill. There will be a debate on the Senator's nine amendments until 2 p.m. I do not see how that is speedy, rushed or hasty. A vote was called last night and the Senator, fair dues to him, has tabled nine amendments today. There will be three hours to debate the nine amendments and the Senator will exhaust himself discussing them.

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