Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

I did not interrupt, except to observe that Senator Ryan was funny.

We are not guillotining the Bill and everybody who wishes to speak will have an opportunity to do so. Senators cannot have it every way; they cannot say they do not have enough work to do and then leave the House at 7 p.m. stating that they do not wish to debate any further into the evening. Senators are welcome to remain in the House to debate this important legislation at length.

I remind Members that Committee Stage, on which they may debate matters in great detail, will not be taken until next week. Senators will have an entire week to reflect and decide upon the amendments they wish to table in respect of the Bill. Second Stage is very interesting from many points of view, but the meat will be in the detail of the amendments that will come forward. I will not permit people to tell lies to the effect that I am ramming this Bill through and guillotining the debate. Senators may play the March Hare from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and state otherwise, but I tell them that they are wrong.