Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

It is important for the Seanad that we ventilate our views on such matters. It is not practicable to have a full debate on this matter, as Senator Byrne proposes. I suggest we move on to Nos. 2 and 3 and that the Leader and the Whips explore the possibility of debating No. 1 later in the day. Rather than have a silly vote, the result of which we know in advance, could we not try to find time and space for a debate later this afternoon? There may be a valid reason this cannot be so. The Seanad should not be a rubber stamp. We should be a House of debate and consideration and not a rubber stamp. Sometimes this must happen, but I suggest some flexibility with regard to No. 1.