The note will state there is a cost on the State. I think it is because Seanad Éireann is included in-----

I move amendment No. 6: In page 4, between lines 5 and 6, to insert the following: “Report on number of members to be returned for Dáil constituency 5. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage shall, within 1 year after the dissolution of Dáil Éireann that next occurs after the passing of this Act, lay a report before both Houses of the Oireachtas outlining the manner in which the number of members allocated to each constituency of Dáil Éireann has affected the following in representational terms: (a…

Yes.

I move amendment No. 44: In page 57, line 2, after “a” to insert “fair,”. This is a very simple amendment. It seeks to insert the word "fair" in respect of the performance by a member of Garda personnel of their duties. As drafted, the Bill provides that the duties shall be discharged in a “lawful, professional, punctual and prompt manner.” The amendment would ensure that first and foremost, Garda personnel shall perform all their duties as outlined in a fair or impartial manner.

I move amendment No. 46: In page 59, between lines 8 and 9, to insert the following: “(b) the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission,”. Chapter 6 of Part 2 relates to the governance and accountability of An Garda Síochána. This critical responsibility currently lies with the independent Policing Authority. Under the Bill, the Policing Authority will have responsibility for setting the policing priorities for policing services in Ireland. Before it does so, however, the Bill provides that the authority shall con…

The Senator could have submitted amendments.

I move amendment No. 47: In page 61, between lines 29 and 30, to insert the following: “(a) the public interest,”. As an Independent Senator, the resources that we use in our offices are that we have one Senator and one staff member to go through a Bill line by line, prepare amendments and come in to speak to those amendments on Committee Stage. Every party, whether in government or not, has the opportunity to amend legislation. Even with whatever internal back and forth is going on here it is unfair to the staff o…

There is a difference between entitlement and obstruction. They are two different things and one sways over into abusing the other at some stage.

I could be somewhere else.

With regard to amendment No. 47, section 63 of the Bill provides for the establishment of a strategic plan for An Garda Síochána by the Garda Commissioner. This amendment simply seeks to provide that the Garda Commissioner, when preparing a strategic plan, would have to have regard to the public interest. The strategic plan is a very important guiding document for policing services in Ireland and it strikes me that the public interest should be given significant consideration in terms of informing its development. …

On a point of order, under Standing Order No. 55, a Member is allowed to propose that debate be closed on a question put by the Chair when there is repetition. In this case, the question would be that section 63 stand part of the Bill. I propose that the Acting Chair could put that question.

I refer to Standing Order No. 55.

It is a Standing Order.

I have no way to interrupt other than to raise a point of order. Under Standing Order No. 55,-----

Sorry, Acting Chairperson, but I proposed the question.

There is repetition; I have been noting the repetition.

No, but I have put the question, based on repetition. You cannot just ignore me putting the question.

Fianna Fáil is in the Chair. There has been repetition-----

There has been constant repetition. I have noted every time the sentence on strategic planning resources was repeated.

It is funny-----