David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is difficult for Government and Opposition Senators to support amendments brought forward at this stage. We got sight of many of these amendments only in the past couple of hours. This is not a good way of progressing legislation. Leaving aside the haphazard manner in which the Bill is being progressed through this House, Sinn Féin had core concerns about the Bill, which concerns have been echoed by a senior official in local government. It is peculiar to say the least and, I believe, unusual for a city manager, in particular one in the capital city, to be so critical of the implications of a Bill that is progressing through the Oireachtas.

This Bill is being rushed through the Seanad in a haphazard manner and, I understand, all Stages of it will be taken in the Dáil. This does not instil confidence in anybody that this Bill will do what is says on the tin. The concerns expressed by Sinn Féin over recent days are genuine concerns, which are now being expressed outside of this House by senior civil servants. This must be a cause of concern for the Minister of State. I agree with Senator Ó Clochartaigh that the right thing at this point would be for the Minister of State to withdraw this Bill. This legislation should not be rushed through the Seanad or the Dáil until there has been full consultation with all the stakeholders, including local authorities. I have no doubt we will have to come back to this Bill in future.

I am happy that Senator Keane is shaking her head because when issues arise, and they will, we will be able to remind her that we raised these issues 30 or 40 times. I am glad we raised these issues repeatedly.

The problem is we were not listened to. I believe the Government will be forced to listen to people outside this House, including senior officials who are echoing many of the concerns we raised. Such is the seriousness of the concerns being raised that the Government should suspend the passage of the Bill.