"I move that the Second Stage be ordered for Tuesday, 29 June 1982" subject to agreement between the Whips.
Criminal Justice (Community Service) Bill, 1982: Order for Second Stage.
Bill entitled an Act to make further provision for dealing with persons convicted of certain offences and to provide for connected matters.
Next Tuesday, is that agreed?
(Dún Laoghaire): You will agree, Sir, that there are only 24 hours in the day.
In view of the marked similarity between the Government's measure and that of the Opposition perhaps the Taoiseach or the Minister would indicate if they will take all Stages of this Bill next week.
We shall certainly be prepared to consider that, yes.
I understand it is traditional when the First Reading of a Bill is moved that one can merely address oneself to the question of the timing of the Bill. It would be appropriate to simply ask a question of the Minister to which he may be in a position to reply. It is this: if the Minister approves of the provision of community service orders and, if the Government have accepted the necessity for such a measure, can he indicate why he thought it necessary to publish an additional Bill——
We cannot discuss that now.
—— and if the Minister would confirm that the only sharp practice indulged in this House was ——
Deputy Shatter, please.
Deputy Shatter has admitted to the sharp practice, on his own admission a few moments ago.
The Deputy had better wait until the Second Stage of the Bill, when he shall be given plenty of time to make his point, but not now. We cannot have a debate on it now.
But, Sir, that accusation from the other side of the House ——
Will Deputy Shatter please resume his seat?
The Minister is demeaning the office he holds.
One of the first things Deputy Shatter must learn is that he must resume his seat when the Ceann Comhairle is standing, please.
On a point of order, I take issue with the Minister for Justice when he said that Deputy Shatter admitted sharp practice. I want to deny categorically any such admission. The Minister, of his own admission, accepts that both ——
Deputy, I shall be glad ——
Perhaps I may just finish this point and I will not delay the House. The Minister accepts that both the measure in the name of Deputy Shatter and that in his name are both Fine Gael Bills.
Question put and agreed to.