Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for joining us. He does not have the benefit of having been here yesterday evening when Senator McDowell raised what are very serious concerns. I utterly reject the insinuation that anyone who votes for this section is in some way endorsing it. It is wrong to present it as a fait accompli when we are on Committee Stage and every Member of the House understands the Bill will come back to the House on Report Stage, when there will be further reflection and perhaps amendments. The issues raised are serious. I absolutely respect Senator McDowell's viewpoint on this. My colleague, Senator Dooley, suggested yesterday evening that we return to this matter on Report Stage following further consideration by the Department in consultation with the Attorney General. The Minister of State who was here last night committed to do so.

I urge Members to allow our work to proceed today. We have 12 hours of debate scheduled and we are very keen to progress this legislation and see amendments made to it, but no amendments can be made if we are all going to spend extra time repeating what we all know to be the case, which is that we are on Committee Stage. We have our own viewpoints, so let us make our views known and then move on. This approach would allow us to actually progress the Bill and get the best possible planning legislation that this country deserves.