Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My legislative work as Minister for Justice and Equality has been impacted upon by the amount of time I have spent in this House on the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill. The record will speak for itself in terms of the time taken and in terms of repetition. As I have said, I am a guest here, but the debate on that Bill has resulted in me having in excess of 100 pieces of legislation on my desk. Many of these are urgent. All of them are important. I would not be telling the full story if I did not say that the Bill has taken an inordinate amount of my time and of my officials' time. Be that as it may, the Senators operate their House in the way they deem fit. However, for the record, it has not been very encouraging in terms of good order. Today's proceedings are the latest example of that as the Order of Business went on late into the afternoon.

In any event, while I would like to provide Government time for Report Stage of Senator Ó Céidigh's Bill, I am in the hands of the Seanad. It could well be the case that if I indicated support for that initiative, it would again raise the ire of some Senators, who would then ensure it did not happen. Therefore, when I say that I support the concept of taking Report Stage in Government time, I am aware that it will not be my decision. I will be happy to discuss it with certain people here who may be in a position to influence proceedings, but I do not influence the Seanad. I cannot do that. The manner of my admonishment here last week set that out clearly. I am a guest here.