Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach. I want to apologise to Senator Higgins because at no stage did I want to imply that Senator Higgins did not take her role as a legislator particularly seriously. The point I was making, however, concerning this is that there is no guillotine on this discussion but simply because there is no guillotine does not mean that Members should speak at length and repeat points that have been made in earlier debates. I make the point that when there were complaints made about Committee Stage, that of the three hours and 20 minutes that were allowed on Committee Stage, two hours and 20 minutes of those were taken by Opposition speakers and an hour was taken by Government speakers, including the Minister.