Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I accept that but I am saying it is very frustrating for Senators. We were present here for Committee Stage. There were very few votes, if any, but now we are being asked to amend what we agreed on Committee Stage, more or less. I object on principle. We have been waiting for this Bill for four years; it was published four years ago. At this late stage, coming up to the Christmas recess, we are dealing with a plethora of amendments that should have been dealt with months ago. I have no problem being here - I will stay here until morning - but it is unfair on the House and Cathaoirleach. Some of the amendments are technical. I am not questioning the propriety or merit of some of these amendments. We had a long lead-up to this Bill. The amendments we are now dealing with should have been dealt with on Committee Stage. We are amending amendments that were made and deleting some of them. We accepted amendments to the original Bill on Committee Stage. What is occurring is very disconcerting and worrying. If the Bill is brought back again from the Dáil, are we to amend amendments we made twice?