Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

It has been a difficult time for everyone in government over recent years, including Ministers and members of both parties. They showed remarkable selflessness in supporting what were genuinely unpopular measures which were necessary in the interests of the country. Having said that, I find myself concurring to a great degree with much of what Senator Mullen said. People have consistently articulated their opposition to the guillotining of any Bill. We have a reasonable record in this House, with one exception, namely, the guillotining of the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act, which was apparently done to facilitate a press call for the "Six One News" outside the gates of Leinster House.