Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I support the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator Donohoe. The Dublin Transport Authority Bill is significant and bulky and it will have far-reaching consequences for the future. It is intended to take Second Stage later today and Committee Stage next week and to rush the legislation through. Rushed legislation is bad legislation. Will the Leader reconsider his position on this Bill? We cannot take Second Stage of such an important Bill later today, followed by Committee Stage next week. Surely we should learn lessons from the past about rushing legislation through either House.

I support Senator O'Donovan's call for a debate on fisheries. He fought within his parliamentary party against the draconian measures introduced by the previous Government to criminalise fishermen. However, a Fianna Fáil Government introduced legislation to criminalise our fishermen.