Feargal Quinn (Independent)

Although I have been a Member of this House for ten years and taken part in debates on quite a few Bills, I have never seen anything like section 12(2)(c). It becomes meaningless if one includes a provision referring to "a person who is a member of such other class as may be prescribed". Why take a page and a quarter to deal with this, rather than simply making it applicable to any committee that contains anybody? It is just ridiculous.

What really saddens me is that this Bill contains quite valuable measures but is spoiled by the inclusion of this provision. A number of Senators have expressed their agreement with the extension of the five year period to ten years. It is acceptable that any legislation should be reconsidered after five years. However, to include something as foolish and outrageous as, in effect "this covers everybody" is totally unacceptable. It could just as easily have been stated in one line on the previous page.

I am disappointed that we have ended up in a situation where this Bill is being rushed through the House. I will be even more disappointed if we do not get the Minister of State's response. I hope we will at least hear his response and that we will not be subjected to the guillotine as has been suggested.