Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank her for her comprehensive answer. I want to make it clear I am not having a go at her. I do not wish to do that. She is constrained, as the Leader of the Seanad always is, by the logic of power around here. I also support that legislation. I am talking about the Government, rather than the Leader. She has to do what she has to do.

I do not care if everybody at the leaders' meetings agreed to it. This is always bad practice. The only time legislation should be taken at all Stages is in an emergency situation and this is not an emergency situation. It is important legislation which will try, hopefully with everybody's support, to secure the common good. However, it is not right outside of emergency situations to dispense with the possibility of people hearing each other's opinions on Second Stage and coming up with ideas for amendments, which might be so good that they should go back to the Dáil for consideration. When legislation is put through all Stages in one day, particularly coming up to Christmas, we all know what is happening.

I know there is an emotional charge behind this legislation and it is named for a person who suffered profound injustice but none of that takes away from the fact that we have a serious duty as legislators. That is being lost here and it is being constantly lost. I ask the Leader to reflect on that. Even if there is unanimity, it does not make it right. That was my point and it was not targeted at the Leader personally. We all know she has to do what she has to do and let us not pretend otherwise.