Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I should have stated it was always envisaged that we would have a full debate on the three reports. I authored the report on penal reforms and I was very involved in the other two on prostitution and Traveller ethnicity. We always wanted to have a debate on these. If one looked at the text of the motions one would have seen the reports were to be noted and it was not a statement they would not be debated. It is intended to debate them soon but we needed business for today. We could not have an Order of Business without business. I accept the motions are not particularly substantive and I am happy to withdraw them. The consequence is we will have no business after the Order of Business, but this may be the preferable approach to take. I was Acting Leader at 6 p.m. when the business concluded yesterday and the alternative was not to sit today, which I do not think would have been appropriate. I am glad we did sit and colleagues have had an opportunity to express their views on the resignation of former Minister, Deputy Shatter, and his replacement.