Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

On Senator Ó Murchú's last point, there could be no objection at all to there being careful consideration of the legislation, what it is intended to do or objections raised by Senators to its wording and terms. There is no issue about that and is what Members are here to do. Moreover, it is no less legitimate for a Senator to table amendments that have the effect of altering completely the Bill. Senators of course are entitled to do that but I would draw a distinction between efforts along the lines about which the Senator has, very reasonably, just been talking, which is to tighten up or improve the wording or to ensure the wording passes muster under the Constitution and all such issues and the Government is very much open to that. However, some amendments - I do not suggest people are not entitled to table them - in truth have the effect and the intent of wholly altering the intention in a particular session. Some Senators are in agreement with that and that is what they are here to do. However, that will not be accepted.