Seanad debates
Monday, 24 November 2003
Order of Business.
Senator Joe O'Toole asked about Bills before the other House. I have no control over Bills before the other House. They are taking an inordinate time which I do not understand but that is not our business. The Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill 2003 which is before us today is not being rushed. I scheduled it to run until 6 p.m. last Thursday and it finished at 3.20 p.m., so two and a half hours of debating time were left. Nevertheless, there was a good debate on the Bill, those who spoke had excellent points to make and they received a good hearing. It was quite remarkable that two and a half hours should have lain fallow in that debate but be that as it may it was not rushed. There will be a full afternoon allowed for debate today. Furthermore, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment will be here. She has not passed the Bill to anyone else. She took it for most of Thursday and she will be here all afternoon as well. It is a mark of great respect to the Seanad that the senior Minister is coming here for the debate on the Bill.
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