David Norris (Independent)

Since I raised this matter it has been taken up. All my colleagues, including those on the Government side, have acknowledged that there is a significant problem. There is no intention to delay this matter and we concur on this side with Senator O'Donovan if the Seanad must meet next week. The Dáil will still be in recess so it will not be of much use in solving the problem.

I say "well done" to the Minister of State on an admirable fudge. He did not say he would accept any amendments and we all know bloody well that he will not. The Minister of State spoke of what happened in the Dáil but we know what happened there. A guillotine was employed and two thirds of the amendments put down by the Opposition in the other House were not discussed at all. That is what has happened with this Bill.

We are not trying to delay the legislation at all. We are absolutely at one with the Minister of State in that the public order problem must be addressed. What the Minister of State has essentially indicated, if he reads the subtext, is that there may be some ideas in the amendments which will be incorporated in the main Bill in the autumn. I would be very surprised if the Minister of State accepted any amendment today.

I am prepared, as the poet Wordsworth wrote, to be surprised by joy. I do not anticipate it but I will not hold up the House any longer. We should get down to the substance of the amendment because we have established where we are. It is a poor day for the respect for the constitutional position of the Seanad in that this should happen. I do not personally blame the Minister of State but I attach blame to the Government in the way it has treated this legislation.