I said at the outset that it gives nobody on this side of the House any pleasure to be involved in a debate on this motion. The circumstances which have led to the situation should never have arisen and would not have arisen had the normal basic courtesies been observed, had there been any forethought in the planning of the business of the House and had there not been an attempt to steamroll this legislation through the House. The simple fact is that this legislation was produced last week and the House gave it a Second Stage reading. There are a number of substantial but not obstructive and not unduly lengthy amendments tabled for debate, most of which come under two main headings. Had this guillotine motion not been brought in, probably the time available would have been adequate to get through the amendments. If not, what, may I ask, is wrong with meeting tomorrow or the day after or meeting on Tuesday of next week or setting aside time next week to complete this debate?
We began this session of the Seanad with a great sense of optimism that this House was taking stock of itself, that we were taking a look at our procedures and that we were determined to make this one of the most productive and enlightened Seanad in the history of this House Unfortunately, the good intentions of that time have all now fallen by the wayside. We are staggering on here from week to week, not knowing sometimes what business is coming up, more often than not having entirely insubstantial business before us. All of this contrasts with the sudden rush to get through this Bill, which is not enormously complicated, immediate, difficult or urgent and which all sides of the House welcome.
For those reasons, a Cathaoirligh, I intend to oppose the taking of Item No. 1 today. I do not wish to indulge in obstructive tactics or to play parliamentary games. We have a very serious responsibility to discharge our duties in as constructive and honourable a way as possible. For that reason I do not propose to delay or detain the House, other than to put on record my total opposition to the way in which business is being handled today and to say that we will not be part of any handling of business in this way. We want to register our protest in the strongest way possible and that we can do by simply voting against Item No. 1.
