David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that No. 18, Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 2013 - Second Stage, be taken today. We have already agreed in principle that the Bill should proceed, and I see no reason that it should not be taken today. If we are going to do our work, this is how we should do it. Let us deal with the legislation and then send it down to the Dáil to make whatever amendments it wants. That House has been dithering on this issue for four years while, in the meantime, people's lives are at stake. The Bill is necessary to protect people in this State.

I watched with ironic amusement yesterday as the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, talked about giving the people the chance to have their say on the future of the Seanad. He and his colleagues in government did everything they could, throughout their political careers, to keep the people as far away as possible from the Seanad. That type of hypocrisy must be exposed. Even if the referendum is endorsed by the people, there will be two and a half years for the crowd in the other Chamber to find their courage. I expect the dead sheep will give them a bit of a push-----