Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will conclude my point by issuing a direct challenge to Senator McDowell. I challenge him to join us in the next Dáil and then exercise the power he is now trying to impose upon the current Seanad. I ask him to stand in Dublin Bay South and put his name forward for election to the Lower House. He might have the opportunity to sit once again in the seat I occupy. It is unlikely that he will be able to do so within the same spirit or hope of his colleague, Senator Craughwell, but Senator McDowell should rise to that challenge. He will then have an opportunity to lead the charge to amend this legislation at that time, because he readily accepts that it is this time that will be the time for the debate. I also recognise the challenge of having this legislation completed within a preferred timeframe. We are dealing with amendment No. 4 on the first day of the Report Stage debate. In the normal course of events, this legislation would have been enacted a year ago. I am reliant on numbers in the Seanad and the goodwill of Senators, neither of which I have, according to Senator Craughwell. We will put that to the test between now and the conclusion of Report Stage.