It is proposed to take No. 19, Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013 - Order for Report Stage and Report and Final Stages; and No. 20, Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012 - Order for Report Stage and Report and Final Stages.

It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 9 p.m. and shall adjourn not later than midnight; Report and Final Stages of No. 19 shall be taken today and the proceedings thereon shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at midnight by one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for Health; and in the event a division is in progress at the time fixed for taking Private Members’ business which shall be No. 111, motion re distressed mortgages (resumed), Standing Order 121(3) shall not apply and Private Members’ business shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 90 minutes.

There are three proposals to be put to the House. Before I put the first proposal, I ask the Taoiseach, now that the sitting is being extended to midnight, that a second break be included. The staff and those who service the Chamber only have a break for one hour from 1.30 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. It is not reasonable to ask people to work continuously for 12 hours. Can it be arranged that we will have some break in the debate this evening for the staff?

The Whip will deal with that matter. I take the Chair's point in respect of the staff. We agree with it.

Is it agreed that provision will be made? Agreed. Is the proposal that the Dáil shall sit later than 9 p.m. and shall adjourn not later than midnight agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 19, Order for Report Stage and Report and Final Stages of the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill 2013, agreed to?

It is not. We have consistently opposed the Government's consistent use of the guillotine in dealing with a range of legislation. A substantial number of amendments have been submitted to the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill 2013 and given the enormous interest in the Bill, irrespective of one's perspective, the decision to conclude the debate with one vote, even if all of the amendments have not been reached or debated, is the wrong one. Those who wish to move amendments should be facilitated in doing so and having them debated. What is proposed is that they be wrapped in one vote at the conclusion of the debate. That is not right and I oppose the proposition.

I commend the Ceann Comhairle on organising a break for the staff. We are not going to push this issue to a vote, but I would like to make a point that the Government is now engaged in the practice of imposing the guillotine. There are 160 amendments to this Bill, but I know all of the arguments have been rehearsed and all of the issues debated. However, in principle, we need to review how we do business in the Dáil because of the frequency with which the guillotine is being used. This is not a good way to do business. Deputies who submit amendments should have the right to speak to them and have them debated.

I understand an extensive number of amendments have been submitted. As many of them are connected to each other, they have, therefore, been grouped. Amendments can be discussed individually or in groups and can be voted on in groups. Therefore, I am not sure of the point being made by Deputy Micheál Martin. Very few Bills in the past 40 years have been subject to such extensive discussion, consultation and debate in the House. I suggest to the Deputy that what he should do is allow the procedure proposed to get under way. I understand many of the amendments will be dealt with very quickly, but I cannot predict the future in that sense.

I suggest to Deputy Martin that, while we take into account what he and Deputy Adams have said, we let the process start and see how it runs. I have no objection to extending the time again tonight, if that is necessary. We want this dealt with because we have set targets for individual pieces of legislation, and this has drifted for quite a long time. There has been very extensive consultation about it. The House was to rise at 10 p.m. and we have extended that for a further two hours so groups of these amendments can be dealt with. I suggest that we let the process commence and see how that works and how far we get. I do not have any difficulty in dealing with it for a further period but I am going to get rid of it tonight.

Is the Taoiseach suggesting we would remain for a further period?

We will review it at the sos this evening.

The question is agreed.

We did not agree.

We said "Níl".

You are noted as dissenting. Is the proposal for dealing with Private Members' business agreed to? Agreed. I call Deputy Martin on the Order of Business.