Ivana Bacik (Independent)

It is fair to say we all deplore the use of the guillotine in this House. It is not ideal but colleagues on both sides of the House appreciate that with the referendum set for 27 October we are constrained on the referendum Bills. Like Senator O'Brien, I would have liked more time to debate this referendum Bill in particular. There was less concern in the public arena about the wording of the judicial pay Bill, and so less need for time on it. The debate on judges' pay seems to have gone on for a long time, so it was time to draw a line under it.

I ask the Leader for a debate on international trade in the presence of either the Tánaiste or the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan. I seek that debate in the context of this week's ploughing championships. I welcome back all my colleagues who attended that event, which was hugely successful. It was great to see so many people attend.