Jim Higgins (Fine Gael)

I thank Senators for supporting the amendment. I was amazed the Minister of State did not receive a note from the dug-out until a couple of minutes ago. He then tried to make the argument that it was sufficient that the Clerk of the Dáil sprouted his administrative wings as Clerk of this House. That is not an argument. A strong case has been made in favour of the amendment on all sides of the House. I ask the Minister of State to reflect on the proposal overnight as the Fine Gael Party intends to put the issue to a vote tomorrow. In the interests of speeding up the process, I propose to withdraw the amendment and resubmit it on Report Stage tomorrow.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Amendment No. 24 not moved.

Government amendment No. 25:

In page 10, subsection (6), lines 30 and 31, to delete "acting chairperson" and substitute "deputy chairperson".

Amendment agreed to.

Section 8, as amended, agreed to.

SECTION 9.