Time for Seanad abolition Bill debate
The Leader assured Senators that there would be no guillotine on the Seanad abolition referendum Bill and that ample time would be provided for Second, Committee and Report Stages, despite concerns about the Taoiseach’s attendance.
The Leader of the Opposition, Senator Darragh O'Brien, spoke about matters in the other House last evening regarding the guillotining of the Bill to allow for a referendum on the abolition of the Seanad. I can assure the House that no such guillotine will be applied in this House-----
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-----and ample time will be given for every Member of the House to contribute, irrespective of what time it takes. We have an hour and a half today, we have three hours tomorrow and we will have further time next week to deal with Second Stage. We will continue to deal with Committee and Report Stages over the coming weeks.
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It is not satisfactory if the Taoiseach will not be here.
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If Senator White could let me reply-----
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The Leader should be honest about it.
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-----I am saying that there will be more than ample time for Members to make their points on that Bill, today, tomorrow and, if necessary, on any other day. There will be no guillotine in this House on the Bill.
