David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

There should be a fair amount of latitude in these matters when there are so many amendments scattered throughout the Bill and one has to root around looking to find them. I would like to know what the opinion of the Law Society was on this matter that has been so persuasive with the Minister. Page 41 of the Bill is amended on a spectacular number of occasions. Some are just technical amendments. According to my colleague, Senator Barrett, page 41 of the Bill is amended 105 times. That is absolutely astonishing. It is no wonder we are at sea; at least I am at sea, I am not suggesting the Minister is at sea.

If a Member has not spoken then it would be no harm, even on Report Stage, for a Member seeking to be informed by the Minister's contribution to be allowed to speak after the Minister - if he or she reserves the position and decides to not speak until after the Minister and taking into account that the Member can still only speak once. It would seem good parliamentary practice to allow a Member who decides to hold his or her fire, to make use of the information the Minister has contributed to the House in making an informed comment, especially when there are so many amendments joined together by leave of the House.