Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I deliberately avoided getting involved in this debate but Senator Walsh's contribution and the Leader's proposal are fast eroding the consensus on this side of the House which has behaved impeccably over the past 48 hours. It is time we received leadership on this issue from the Government side of the House because the problem is very simple. No information has been forthcoming and no reason has been given by Government as to why this Bill must be completed today rather than tomorrow. When we come here at 11 p.m. or midnight to debate the Bill, the Government will have the votes to carry it through, no matter what happens. I would not like to see the consensus eroded, but the behaviour of Government yesterday and thus far today is leaving a very poor taste on the Opposition side of the House. We are trying to be co-operative and not to be obstructionist, but we are not getting any help from the Government side. The Ceann Comhairle has expressed a different view from that given to us by the Leader. What are we at? The Leader is a much more experienced parliamentarian than I am, but I can do mathematics. It does not add up in terms of the timeframe. Will the Leader explain why the legislation has to be passed tonight?