Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

The Minister of State is welcome to the House to present a Bill which is simple, yet extremely important in that it provides protection for Members of these Houses in the carrying out of their duties and any future work in that area.

As the Minister is aware, the Bill is being presented to us in the expectation that the evidence will be admissible but lawyers are still arguing in a particular case whether evidence will be admissible. Even this legislation will not be applicable in that case. The rush to deal with these two important legislative measures is unprecedented in that the two Houses will deal with all Stages of two Bills — 20 Stages — in one day. I am not sure that has ever happened previously.

I understand from people who have attended the briefings with the Attorney General that he said categorically that there would be no legislation in this regard. Why are we being presented with these two items of legislation today? Perhaps the Minister would enlighten me. What was the Attorney General's advice and if it is the case that he said there would be no legislation brought forward, whose decision was it to bring forward this legislation today? It is important that we know.

We are dealing with uncharted waters in terms of this legislation and it is important that we get it right and not make it up as we go along. That is the reason I am concerned about the rush. We need time to ensure this legislation is dealt with properly and that we will not find an individual going to the High Court before we have an opportunity to do anything. We must ensure that the Members of this House are protected. If such an event should arise I agree with it but I ask the Minister to address the questions I put to him.