Seanad debates

Wednesday, 19 December 2007

10:30 am

Photo of Alex WhiteAlex White (Labour)

I support the challenge to the Order of Business as referred to by Senators Fitzgerald and O'Toole. Senator Fitzgerald is correct in the position she has taken on both issues raised. The Standards in Public Office Commission, as other speakers have pointed out, must be entirely above controversy. That is the whole point of it. We have had enough difficulties to know that if there is even the slightest controversy, the body will be undermined. This is not a personal issue, as Senator O'Toole rightly pointed out, but we do not want a body as important as the commission to be in any way undermined by controversy. The Government at the very least should pause the process and allow us to avail of the opportunity to obtain all-party agreement on the appointment to this important commission.

I also support the call for a better opportunity to debate the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. I suspect the Leader will tell us that every opportunity will be given to discuss the Bill in the House and that as many hours as Senators wish can be availed of.

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