Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will not read the Minister's reply to the House but Senator Daly must be fair here. We have never, on this side of the House, blocked a Bill coming in. The Senator made a request to us and the Bill passed on Second Stage. The Minister made a very clear point to the Senator last week and he needs to be fair about it. It is the Minister's understanding that it is not expected that such Bills will not be accepted without due consideration. The Senator should also read what the Minister said about the aspects of the Bill which require further consideration and the fact that the legislation sponsored by the Senator is almost identical to the Bill published by the Law Reform Commission. The Minister repeated in his reply to the Senator the offer of further engagements with officials and indicated that if Senators considered that it would be helpful, the Department was open to other suggestions they might have. As such, the Minister has an open door for the Senator.