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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 10 Feb 1983

Vol. 339 No. 11

Order of Business.

It is proposed to take No. 2 (Resumed).

Might I ask the Taoiseach if it is intended to change the wording of the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill. You will remember, Sir, I raised the matter yesterday and you said it would come up in the Bill. During the Minister's introductory remarks he left the situation somewhat confused at the end and it would be important that we would know.

The position is that the Second Stage of the Bill is being debated at present. Points like that may be raised, are appropriately raised on the Bill and should be answered in the ordinary course of events by the Minister in replying to the debate.

I appreciate that but in this case the Minister did say that we were discussing the principle of the Bill. He referred in his closing paragraph to the fact that the wording, as presented, was not necessarily as the wording would be.

The Chair feels fairly definitely that to deal with the matter now on the Order of Business would be allowing a debate within a debate. The Leader of the Opposition is in possession on Item No. 2.

Would it be possible to know before the debate resumes on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill if the wording is going to be changed?

The matter can be raised in the debate.

Would it be in order that the Taoiseach would reply instead of the Ceann Comhairle to questions? It would be more appropriate because I can tell the House that it has caused deep concern throughout the country—the fact that there is such ambiguity in relation to this matter. How can we debate a Bill whose wording is not yet agreed? It is a most unusual situation, unprecedented in this House.

The Deputy is out of order.

I may be out of order but I am raising this matter on behalf of the many concerned people in the country—

(Interruptions.)

Order, please, on both sides of the House. The Leader of the Opposition on Item No. 2.

A Cheann Comhairle, I should like to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of question No. 15 on last Thursday's Order Paper.

I will communicate with Deputy Brady.

A Cheann Comhairle, would the Taoiseach reply? Surely he is able to reply?

Deputy, we have now passed from that item. I am calling on the Leader of the Opposition, Deputy Haughey, on Item No. 2 (Resumed).

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