Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I understand why people want to finish Committee Stage today. However, my colleagues have been long enough in this House to know that on Committee Stage, we can thoroughly debate each amendment as it comes forward. One can speak as often as one wants, for as long as one wants, to drive home the message, try to convince people of one’s position and have a matter thoroughly debated for people to consider. Members know that when we get to Report Stage, they get to speak once and that is it. Each contributor can speak just once and the person tabling the amendment gets to speak twice - that is it. We do not have the same opportunity on Report Stage to tease out every single issue. Passing Committee Stage today may satisfy the baying crowd outside Leinster House, who have been writing to us all week, but it will not do anything for this Bill. The Bill is flawed, and that is the bottom line. Let us fix the Bill and pass it then. Please God, let us not go to Report Stage, where we will have a very limited opportunity.