Alex White (Labour)

We have barely time to read these letters and e-mails before we must make proposals in the House on this legislation. This was dealt with yesterday and Senator Boyle said the issue of alcohol has been discussed before in the House. That may be, but we are charged constitutionally, as Members of this House, to debate, scrutinise and, ultimately, pass legislation, if we are satisfied with it. For us to deal with Second Stage of this Bill one day, followed by Committee, Report and Final Stages the next day undermines the independence and integrity of this House. We should defer subsequent Stages of this legislation until the autumn. The sky will not fall in.