Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I assure the House that I am and have been doing everything I can to get consensus. I will do all I can in that regard. I want the House to accept that I have been honest and truthful on this issue in the House. I have discussed Second Stage with leaders of the groups and we propose to have a three-hour Second Stage and then have a break to facilitate the tabling of amendments. We intend then to go through the various Stages as is normally the case in the House. As all colleagues know, I have never guillotined discussion on a Bill, neither during my time as Leader from 1997 to 2002 nor since I was privileged to be reappointed as Leader on 24 June last year. I am doing all I can to retain the consensus and harmonious working relationship we enjoy here together in as much as that is possible as parliamentarians. That is the reason I got agreement to bring forward by one hour the hour at which we shall reconvene.