Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)

I second the request of Senator Mullen for further debate. With all due respect to the Leader, for whom I have much respect, we have only dealt with three or four of the 15 amendments. Some very important information has emerged today from the Minister regarding a likely legal challenge on this issue. The former Minister, Deputy Killeen, procrastinated because correspondence had been received by the Department stating trouble would arise if he did not proceed. He was caught in a crux. Obviously, the election occurred sooner than he wanted and there were developments since then. I can understand why a Minister would be anxious to proceed with this legislation but it is important that all the amendments tabled, especially on Committee Stage, be teased out. The first three or four amendments have been grouped. Some of the amendments are mine and the amount of debate in which I have engaged has been quite reasonable. Will the Leader consider deferring Report Stage and having this debate continue tomorrow evening, even if we must sit early on Tuesday? It is worth teasing out properly because there are serious circumstances behind the scenes causing me much concern and angst. It is fine to blame what happened last year for what is occurring but the fact is that there was a legal threat to the Department, and the Minister was advised accordingly. I accept this must be resolved, and I accept the Minister's bona fides is in this regard, but there are skeletons in the cupboard that we have not yet seen.