Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)

What is the reason for the mad rush? As I said on Friday, the same applies to today, the doors of the Seanad and the Dáil are always open when we want to make cuts to the most vulnerable in society. I repeat my call. Where is the legislation from the Minister's Department and from the Departments of Justice and Equality and Finance that will help people? Why not open the doors of the Seanad and Dáil on usual days to help people instead of always appearing to facilitate hurt? We know there will be reductions but why not offer a carrot with the stick to show that something good is being done and that there is a plus on the reverse side. The section deserves to be voted down on the basis not only of its merits but the rush and the huge amount of effort that the institutions of State are going to today and last week to ensure the Bill is passed into law by Thursday next, come hell or high water.