Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is extremely relevant to democracy and debate in this country. A change was introduced in this House, facilitated by the Leader, to the effect that there would be no more, or very few, guillotines on debates. Unfortunately, one was applied to the debate on water services legislation prior to Christmas but there are far fewer now than there were in the past. This is a House of Parliament and one of debate. There was a serious and wrong attempt to shut down that debate in Dáil and I want to know what pressures were put on this House to do that.