Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Acting Chairman for introducing a measure of reality into this debate, because what we are dealing with here is a breathtaking departure from all precedent. There are no circumstances under which a piece of legislation such as the one we are debating can be dependent upon the future composition of a Government or Parliament. I cannot think of any precedent. It is a fundamental departure from all precedent, practice and procedure of this House and the Lower House. For those reasons, I do not accept the amendment.