International Protection Bill 2026: Report and Final Stages
Seanad Éireann — 2026-03-25
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Gerard P. Craughwell (IND), Labour Panel

I will not delay on this. This is the first time I have spoken on the Bill. I become deeply concerned when I see any Bill passing through the House with a guillotine associated with it. The point made by my colleague, Senator McDowell, is valid. When the Bill is finally passed, it will be seen as two things. First, it will be the Minister's Bill. Second, it will not have been passed by the will of the Members of the Oireachtas, many of whom will never have had an opportunity to engage in any way on the Bill.
This is bad legislation. It is not the way to do business. I fully understand the Minister and I applaud him for the work he is doing in this area but, given that we have 200 amendments, it is wrong in every sense of the word to guillotine the Bill this evening. Members of this House will make it widely known that they are not a party to the Bill. I think that is bad legislation overall. Nothing excuses us not doing the work of Parliament and teasing out every aspect. The Minister was very good the last time we debated the Bill on judicial appointments. This Bill needs more time and I ask him to consider that.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-03-25/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:46+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-03-25