Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 [Seanad]: Order for Committee Stage
Dail Éireann — 2024-07-10
============================================================

Helen McEntee (FG), Meath East

I move: "That Committee Stage be taken now."

Brendan Howlin (LAB), Wexford

I have no objection to taking Committee Stage now, but I would like to make a point of order. This is a catch-all Bill that deals with everything from revoking people's citizenship to amending the Broadcasting Act and a range of other issues. Fundamental issues are being included now that were not debated on Second Stage. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle might advise me whether Committee Stage is the right time - perhaps it is not - to make some amendments to the Minister's amendments, which we only saw last week. I have tabled four amendments to one of the Minister's amendments. One has been ruled out of order. I will make the point now and I ask the Chair to reflect on it. Amendment No. 2 to the Minister's amendment has been ruled out of order by the Ceann Comhairle as it is not relevant to the main amendment.
Is it appropriate to make a point about that now?

Catherine Connolly (CC), Galway West

Deputy Howlin can speak to it later. At this point, the House is being asked to agree that Committee Stage should be dealt with now.

Brendan Howlin (LAB), Wexford

As we are taking Report Stage immediately after Committee Stage, I will not have the right to table an amendment on Report Stage. This is why I will have to do it by way of an amendment to the Minister's amendment on Committee Stage.

Catherine Connolly (CC), Galway West

I understand it is an amendment to the Minister's amendment that Deputy Howlin has tabled.

Brendan Howlin (LAB), Wexford

It is, on Committee Stage. There will be no gap before Report Stage so there will be no time to table any Report Stage amendment.

Catherine Connolly (CC), Galway West

No.

Brendan Howlin (LAB), Wexford

This is why I want to make this case. Will I make it when we reach the Minister's amendment?

Catherine Connolly (CC), Galway West

Deputy Howlin can make the case now generally. I am asking for agreement to proceed to Committee Stage. As each amendment or amendment to amendment is reached on Committee Stage, Deputy Howlin will be able to speak on it.

Brendan Howlin (LAB), Wexford

I want to put a case to the Leas-Cheann Comhairle which the officials might reflect upon between now and when we reach the amendment. It might be more appropriate for me to make the case now, if that is acceptable. I am in the hands of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

Catherine Connolly (CC), Galway West

I understand Deputy Howlin's amendment to the amendment has been disallowed.

Brendan Howlin (LAB), Wexford

Yes. I want to make a case under the salient rulings of the Chair for that to be reconsidered.

Catherine Connolly (CC), Galway West

I cannot do so. When we come to it, I will allow Deputy Howlin to address it again.

Brendan Howlin (LAB), Wexford

All right.

Catherine Connolly (CC), Galway West

That is not to say I will agree with him. It has been disallowed.

Brendan Howlin (LAB), Wexford

No, but in the middle of the debate the Leas-Cheann Comhairle or the officials will not be able to reflect on it. I was going to make the case now but I will do as the Leas-Cheann Comhairle asks.

---

Source: Houses of the Oireachtas. Licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). The Official Report is revised after first publication; the fetch timestamp below identifies the version quoted.

Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2024-07-10/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:53:11+00:00
Sitting date: 2024-07-10