The first item on the agenda is discussion of a timetable for the conclusion of Committee proceedings on the Bill. The reason I put that down as our first matter for discussion here for our first session since the Easter recess is that I think it is common ground among all Members that, after 16 meetings of fairly full and long detailed discussion on every section and every amendment, and in view of the importance of the Bill being passed as quickly as possible, we try and balance detailed consideration with the efficacy of getting the Bill finished and getting it on the Statute Book as soon as possible. Probably the best way to do that is, I would suggest, if we could agree on a couple of long sittings — all day sittings if necessary — to try to bring the matter to finality. We find that two-hour sittings are not long enough to report progress at the end of the day, regardless of how high the quality of discussion may be on the few sections we are dealing with.
I am open to suggestions from Members so that we can get some clear idea as to when we can finish the Bill, put a date on when we can finish it, and fit in our schedule to meet that date. Otherwise, we could be continuing for a considerable number of sittings, which was not the intention when this Special Committee was set up. We have to have a balanced view on it. I would ask for constructive suggestions from all sides as to when we might be able to finish it over a set period and fix our meetings here and now and proceed from there. I have already discussed this matter informally with certain Members of the Committee to try to get a consensus to bring it to a finality. Has anybody anything to say on the matter?
