Seanad debates

Tuesday, 1 December 2015

Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011: Report Stage (Resumed)

 

2:30 pm

Photo of David NorrisDavid Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

On a point of order, Members on both sides find the proceedings chaotic, disorientating and very difficult to follow given that we are presented with an unclean text. The Bill we have before us does not contain the Committee Stage amendments that have already been made. Would the Minister be prepared to suspend the debate and produce a copy of the Bill with the Committee Stage amendments included in it in order that we can see where we are? We have just examined an important amendment which adds the words "the opinion of the Law Society" regarding a matter of fact, namely, whether there has been a breach of regulations. It is not a matter of opinion but a matter of fact. We have just allowed a fact to be overwhelmed by an opinion of a professional body, and it is worrying. The Members on this side will not be particularly co-operative and will call a number of votes to reflect the disquiet throughout the House. Although the Government side is inhibited from making these points, in discussions during the division we found there is considerable concern on that side. Every December, Bills are rammed through because we must get them done before Christmas. This is why we are sitting five days next week and the week after. It is not good parliamentary practice and does not treat the Seanad with the respect it is due.

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