Senator Darragh O'Brien referred to the International Protection Bill. As he knows, the Bill was to be taken last night or this morning. It could have been taken at approximately 4 a.m. or 5 a.m., which would have been ridiculous. That is why it was rescheduled for today. Committee Stage was always to be taken tomorrow. Therefore, I have no problem in taking Second Stage today. The schedule has not changed very much from the one communicated to Senators last week. I am certainly going ahead with the legislation as per the Order of Business I announced.

Senator Darragh O'Brien also referred to mortgage changes and property tax. He said the relevant legislation had been ruled out of order in this House. I do not propose to comment further on that remark, but I am sure the Senator will make the point to the Minister when the Finance Bill is brought before the House.

Senator Ivana Bacik raised a number of matters to which she had referred yesterday in the context of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill. She also referred to school admission policies. I responded on these issues yesterday.

Senator Jillian van Turnhout referred to the appalling findings made in the report on rape victims in the Bessborough institutions. The Government has had to face many legacy issues. Obviously, this is another that will have to be dealt with. I agree with the Senator that this is an appalling set of circumstances that will have to be addressed as a matter of urgency.

Senator Sean D. Barrett proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 16 be taken before No. 1. Is this to enable him to publish the Bill or in order that the Bill may be taken now?

It is to enable us to publish it.

I have no problem with that proposal and will accept that amendment to the Order of Business.

I thank the Leader.

Many Members referred to the Legal Services Regulation Bill. I appreciate the problems Members on all sides have had in that regard. In my time in the House I have never seen 300 amendments being introduced on Report Stage. Many of them amend amendments made on Committee Stage. My job is to facilitate the passage of Government legislation through the House and we do this as best we can. I did not believe it was in the interests of the legislative process, Members or staff to sit until 3 a.m., 4 a.m. or 5 a.m. in order to complete the Bill. However, we will complete it today, as intended, and will allow the time necessary to do this. Therefore, I cannot accept the proposal that we remove the Bill from the agenda outlined in the Order of Business.

Senator Pat O'Neill referred to the Green Party and the position of An Taisce on climate change. He made very strong, cogent points in this regard. The Taoiseach has said we are to have more legislation on climate change as a result of the Paris talks and I am sure the Senator will have the opportunity to make his points when it is introduced.

Senator Aideen Hayden welcomed the new bankruptcy legislation, a Private Members' Bill originally introduced by Deputy Willie Penrose. In the five years in which the Government has been in office the bankruptcy term has been decreased from seven years to three and is now to be one year. We have made significant progress in dealing with this matter, which is to be welcomed.

Senator Aideen Hayden also called for a debate on the ongoing issue of mortgage arrears. We will try to facilitate that debate, but I cannot see it happening before Christmas.

I note Senator David Norris's point about the number of amendments to the Legal Services Regulation Bill. I agree with him in that regard. He proposed that No. 52, Senator John Crown's Bill, be taken before No. 1. The Senator is seeking half an hour before Christmas to debate the Bill. I will certainly try to facilitate him.

There are two or three seconds remaining on Second Stage of a number of other Bills. If I could be notified that Senators want to finish them, I will facilitate them. Let us vote down or retain the relevant Bills, which is what Senator John Crown wants. We should do the same with all Bills in this category. I will facilitate debates in the next couple of weeks if Members want to get them off the Order Paper.

Unfortunately, as I said, I cannot accept the amendment proposed to the Order of Business regarding the Legal Services Regulation Bill. I appreciate the difficulties Members have had about the number of amendments involved, but I must facilitate the passage of Government legislation through the House.

Senator Darragh O'Brien has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, "That No. 6 be deleted from today's Order of Business." Is the amendment being pressed?

Yes.

Senator Sean D. Barrett has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, "That No. 16 be taken before No. 1." The Leader has indicated that he is prepared to accept the amendment. Is it agreed to? Agreed.

I thank the Leader.

Senator Denis O'Donovan has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, "That No. 2 be deleted from today's Order of Business." Is the amendment being pressed?

Yes.

Senator David Norris has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, "That No. 52 be taken before No. 1." Is the amendment being pressed?

In the light of-----

May I speak?

No, the Senator cannot; he can speak after me.

Is the amendment being pressed?

In the light of the Leader's gracious acceptance of what is basically Senator John Crown's amendment, I will not press the amendment, but I will leave it to my learned colleague to decide whether he will press it.

We are not pressing the amendment, but I acknowledge that the Leader has undertaken to do his best. I understand, with the vicissitudes of the scheduling between now and the Christmas recess, he will give us time, I hope the week after next, to debate the Bill.