Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)
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I call the Leader, who wishes to put a proposal to the House.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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At the conclusion of this debate and the vote on the amendment, I propose that we suspend the sitting until 12.30 a.m. This is to facilitate us in dealing with some emergency legislation. I wish to tender to the House the apologies of the Minister, who was obliged to rush away two or three minutes ago in order to attend an important Cabinet meeting.

David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)
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On a point of order, no one in this House has seen the emergency legislation to which the Leader refers. That is no way to do business either here or in the Dáil. With respect, I must inform the Leader that something similar happened in 2008 when legislation was rushed through. We all know the consequences to which that gave rise. It is not good enough for the Leader to announce that we are going to deal with legislation in the early hours of the morning without giving Opposition spokespersons a proper opportunity to scrutinise that legislation. The Government is rushing through legislation, which is exactly what Fianna Fáil did in 2008.

Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)
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Senator Cullinane should resume his seat.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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On a point of clarification-----

Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)
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We will seek to provide the clarification the Senator is seeking when we conclude Private Members' business.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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-----is the sitting to be suspended until 12.30 a.m., namely, 30 minutes past midnight?

Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)
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Yes.

David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)
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That is not agreed.

Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)
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We must return to and conclude Private Members' business before we dispose of that proposal. The length of the suspension will be decided by the House.

David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)
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The Leader just put a proposal to the House which has not been agreed.

Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)
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That proposal will be dealt with after Private Members' business has concluded.