Gerard P. Craughwell: Opposes Guillotine on Bill with 200 Amendments
Senator Gerard P. Craughwell objects to the use of a guillotine on a Bill carrying some 200 amendments, arguing the measure needs more parliamentary scrutiny. He urges the Minister to allow time for members of the Oireachtas to engage fully with the legislation.
Main objection: Craughwell tells the Minister he will not delay long but is deeply concerned by any Bill passed under a guillotine. He warns that rushed passage will mean the Bill is seen as the Minister's alone and passed without meaningful input from many members of the Oireachtas.
Parliamentary process: The senator stresses that handling this Bill under a guillotine is bad practice and bad legislation. With 200 amendments on the floor, he says it is wrong in every sense to force a vote without proper debate and scrutiny.
Appeal to the Minister: While praising past handling of judicial appointments, Craughwell asks the Minister to consider giving this Bill more time. He argues that nothing excuses short‑changing the work of Parliament or failing to tease out every aspect of the legislation.
Consequences: Craughwell warns members will make it widely known they did not consent to a rushed process. He frames the issue not as opposition to reform but as a defence of proper parliamentary procedure and democratic engagement.
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I am not going to delay long on this, Minister, this is the first time I've spoken on this Bill, but I become deeply concerned when I see any Bill passing through this House with a guillotine associated with it. The point made by my colleague, Senator Macdull, is a really valid point. When the Bill is finally passed, it will be seen as two things. One, it will be your Bill, and two, it will have been passed at the will of the members of the Óireachtas, 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 it, and I applaud you for the work you're doing in this area, but with 200 amendments here, I think it is wrong in every sense of the word to guillotine this evening. I think certainly members of this House will make it widely known that they are not a party to the Bill, and I think that's bad legislation overall. Nothing excuses doing the work of Parliament and teasing out every aspect. You were very good the last time in the Bill we had here with judicial appointments, and I think this needs more time, and I would ask you to consider that.
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