Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

——on standing up to the Minister for Transport, who showed unbelievable neck, cheek and arrogance in thinking that a Bill of this magnitude could be brought to the House tonight, to be rubber-stamped tomorrow and the entire matter put in place within 24 hours. This act of bullying was stopped by the Leader and she is to be congratulated on her actions in this regard.

We find ourselves in an exceptional situation. We are being brought back next week to debate what is, in the Government's mind, emergency legislation. Why is this Bill now being pushed through the House against the express wishes of the vast majority of Fianna Fáil backbenchers and of people with considerable experience in this House? I refer in this regard to Senators Daly and Dooley, the Leader, a former Minister, and even, God help and protect us, Senator Leyden. All of these people have expressed opposition to this measure.