Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

I have already expressed my unhappiness at the manner in which we are dealing with this legislation. I stated on the Order of Business my dissatisfaction with the time allowed, but I am also unhappy with the way in which information is being imparted to us. I am not happy that we are not addressing technical amendments. I have not been provided with the information necessary to do that. While I hope the Minister covers the technical amendments in his reply, the unsatisfactory nature of the procedure in respect of this Bill means we will not be given an opportunity to respond to any issue raised. I am very unhappy about that and I intend to take the matter further. At the very least, spokespersons should be briefed on all amendments before coming to the House in time to be able to consider them actively. The Minister's statement should have been circulated well in advance of this Stage.

During yesterday's discussion of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Bill 2002, many Members on all sides expressed concern at the treatment of the House. Unless we stand up for ourselves, we will continue to be walked over. I do not approve of the way we are operating this morning. Clearly, it is a poor way to approach legislation. I will raise the matter with the Leader of the House and my colleagues on the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and ask that departmental officials brief Members. On this Bill alone, there are 62 amendments, most of which the Minister says are technical. We have no way of knowing if he is correct. Sometimes a Minister tells the House an amendment is technical which subsequently turns out not to be. At the very least, ministerial statements should be circulated in advance and a briefing should be available. Departments have no problem with briefing Members generally and when a scenario such as this occurs, that should be built into the process. We have such a scenario in two instances today and it is simply not good enough.