Thirty-fourth Amendment Bill delayed
Peter Mathews protests that the Government displaced his lottery-selected constitutional amendment Bill from a two-hour debate, leaving Members only about 43 seconds each when it is eventually scheduled.
On a point of order, the conduct of the proceedings over the past half an hour has been bewildering. Where is parliamentary democracy?
Comment on this
The point of order is that his Bill has been hijacked by the Government.
Comment on this
The Tánaiste said the Government had generously provided 17 hours of debate for the Water Services Bill 2014. On 19 December 2013, nearly a year ago to the day, there was a walk-out by the Opposition when the Water Services (No. 2) Bill was first presented.
Comment on this
The point of order is that a Bill that was selected by lottery for a two-hour debate tomorrow has now been shunted into the new year, to be debated on 23 January 2016. That will provide 166 Members with 43 seconds each to determine their responsibilities as parliamentary representatives of the whole people of Ireland.
Comment on this
They were pathetically talking about water services affecting everyone in Ireland. Yes, they do, and so will the Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas) Bill 2014. Yet the Government is giving 43 seconds per Member of Parliament. They should be ashamed of themselves.