David Norris (Independent)

With the greatest respect to the Leader's diplomatic skills, on which Senator Mullen discoursed so liberally, this uncertainty leaves us somewhat bemused. The attitude towards the allocation of time for some of the extremely serious legislation which we will debate this week and next amounts to mere window dressing. As I said last week, the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009 is probably unconstitutional and certainly infringes the human and civil rights of the general population. I applaud the Irish Council for Civil Liberties which has done us a great favour in the analysis it has provided, despite being the subject of general attack on the airwaves.

The way in which this important legislation is being dealt with is entirely unacceptable. It will be guillotined in the Dáil, which means amendments will not be reached and Government amendments will automatically be passed. We are wasting our breath debating it in this House next week because the Dáil will have risen by that stage. There is absolutely no possibility of any amendments we may table being accepted. Therefore, there is no point in being here for that debate. As such, I suggest that Opposition Members absent themselves and let the Government get on with it, which may render the Bill unconstitutional. I hope these benches will be empty next week to highlight this scandal.