Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House.

Before Committee Stage commences, I would like to deal with a procedural matter relating to Bills to amend the Constitution. The substance of the debate on Committee Stage relates to the wording of the proposed constitutional amendment which is contained in the schedule to the Bill. The sections of the Bill are merely technical and, therefore, in accordance with long-standing practice, the sections are postponed until consideration of the Schedule has been completed. I ask the Acting Leader to formally move, in accordance with the precedent and Standing Order 152, that consideration of sections 1 and 2 of the Bill be postponed until the Schedule shall have been disposed of.