Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

It is not my intention to delay the House on procedural issues and I accept the Chair's ruling. The business of the day has been ordered but we were not aware the Minister was taking this approach. It is also not my intention to delay the legislation and I accept it is urgent and needs to be on the Statute Book as soon as possible. The House is not in the habit of delaying legislation. Opposition Members have co-operated with the Government in moving legislation along but we also take the approach that fundamental changes to our laws need to be explored as extensively as possible. It is essential, on balance, that the legislation should proceed.

I hope the Minister will communicate his proposals to the party spokespersons following the Cabinet discussions on this fundamental element of the legislation. We should be given plenty of notice of the amendments before Report Stage because we will only have one opportunity to contribute to the debate on them.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Amendment No. 5 not moved.