Ivana Bacik (Independent)
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Is the acting leader in a position to say whether we can take a gap between the two Stages?

Rónán Mullen (Independent)
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What would constitute a sufficiently expansive gap?

David Norris (Independent)
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This House must insist upon a gap. This is outrageous and a real abnegation of democracy.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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I can act only within the order before the House which states we must take all Stages now. Is amendment No. 1 being pressed?

Ivana Bacik (Independent)
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I will press it if we are to take all Stages now but will press it on Report Stage if that is to follow shortly.

David Norris (Independent)
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If it proves impossible for Senator Bacik to have her amendment considered within this timeframe, this Bill is probably constitutionally suspect.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Senator Bacik will not be able to submit-----

David Norris (Independent)
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That is an outrage. I demand that we listen to the Acting Leader and that we ask him to ensure the democratic processes are fulfilled.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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I call the Acting Leader.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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If it is helpful, I do not have a problem in creating a gap between Committee and Report Stages. I was late for the Order of Business and did not realise that both Stages had been ordered. The Bill is relatively short.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Is the Acting Leader making an amendment to the Order of Business?

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I do not have a problem with that. There is a suggestion that the House would-----

David Norris (Independent)
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I thank the Acting Leader. A significant point has been won by this side.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I believe the Minister agrees that there should be a time gap.

David Norris (Independent)
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Hear, hear.

Ivana Bacik (Independent)
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I am grateful to the Acting Leader for that but I would like to know what type of gap he intends before I agree to it.

David Norris (Independent)
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Mind the gap.

Ivana Bacik (Independent)
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To be fair, we would need to take Report Stage on a different day if the Minister wishes to take advice. We would need to put it on a different day, to be fair.

Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)
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On a point of order, we agree to take the next Stage next week. There is no big issue.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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While it is an important issue, it will not take up a full day.

Ivana Bacik (Independent)
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It will be very quick but I would be grateful if the matter could be dealt with next week on Report Stage.

David Norris (Independent)
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I express my gratitude to the acting leader. This is an important moment for the House.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I might lose my position as acting leader.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Now that peace has reigned, as I indicated I had no problem going into next week, I would not want any of that to suggest we may come back with an agreement on the amendment because, as I said, we considered this previously. We will consider it again and ask that the opinions, rather than the suspicions, of the other side of the House be taken into account.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I propose that Report Stage be taken next week.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Is that agreed? Agreed.