The Minister for the Environment was very prompt in attending this House. He came to the ante room when we reached the second last section of the Bill. I think he underestimated the pace at which we were travelling and having had no lunch decided there might be time to have a cup of coffee. He promised to watch the monitor and he will be with us within a few minutes.
Senators will recall that originally the Electoral (Special Voters) Bill was to be the first item of business today. Discussion among the Whips in another place indicates that they wish that this Bill would pass from the Seanad to the Dáil next week. My suggestion would be that we should now commence Second Stage. In order to facilitate possible amendments on this Bill we should be as brief as possible on Second Stage leaving the major part of the discussion to the Committee Stage of the Bill. I have no wish to restrict discussion on this Bill but it would be helpful to Senators who have amendments and to the Minister himself if we were able to conclude Second Stage. From the appearance of the House it is probable that it might be sufficient to have the Minister's introduction, a speech from each side of the House on the principle of the Bill which is absolutely agreed among all parties, a reply from the Minister and then we could get down to the hard grind of the examination of the Bill at the beginning of business next Tuesday on Committee Stage.