Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

The House sets its business based on what is received from the Government. The Social Welfare and Pensions Bill was before the House yesterday and I believe we had sufficient time to deal with all of the problems highlighted, despite the protestations yesterday morning. Only four amendments by Sinn Féin were tabled. There was sufficient time to deal with the Bill and I suggest there will be sufficient time to deal with the Bill to be taken today. I am not satisfied with the practice of dealing with Bills in their entirety in one day. However, it is possible in the coming weeks that further emergency legislation will be taken in this and the Lower House and that the same arrangements will apply in both Chambers. I am not at liberty to name the legislation other than to indicate there will be an urgency which may necessitate it being taken in one day. When the agenda for next week is circulated, it may not include any business for next Friday, but Members can take it that the House will sit on that day to deal with legislation.