Vol. 178 No. 20
I move:
That the Order of the Seanad of 22 October 2003 fixing the Committee Stage of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship and Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2003 be discharged and that the Bill be withdrawn.
I do not wish to debate this Bill but may I explain my reason for withdrawing it?
Yes.
It is seldom that somebody takes pleasure in withdrawing a Bill he or she has introduced. The reason I withdraw it is that the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004 is coming before the House today and it does exactly what my Bill planned to do and much more.
The other reason for withdrawing my Bill is that I understand it is not possible to have two Bills pending at the same time from the same group. I think that is part of the tradition of the House but I am not sure if it is a ruling of the House. Withdrawal of the Bill enables other members of our group to introduce a Bill, if they so wish. It gives me pleasure to withdraw the Bill on the grounds that the Minister who accepted it on Second Stage added to it in his own Bill.
I thank Senator Quinn.
