The Dáil considers McDowell's Bill

[krayZpaving]

Opposition Deputies in Dáil Éireann have repeatedly interrupted Minister Michael McDowell's speech introducing the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2006, which aims to cover the gaps introduced by the striking down of the statutory rape laws by the Supreme Court last week, demanding copies of the Minister's speech.
Normal Dáil procedure is that a copy of a Minister's speech is given to the Opposition spokespersons as he/she commences speaking. However, 25 minutes into Minister McDowell's speech, TDs are still without a copy.
Deputies Stagg, Quinn and O'Keefe have all interrupted the Minister, but are yet to receive copies.

[krayZpaving]

27 minutes in, and copies of the speech are now being distributed. Very bad form from the Minister.

[KingKane]

Did they lose their manual of 'How a bill becomes a photocopy?'

[Pidge]

27 minutes in, and copies of the speech are now being distributed. Very bad form from the Minister.

Indeed. He was clearly doing the photocopying himself.

Annoyingly, the broadband Dáil broadcast system seems a bit messed up. Mine's now upside down and green.

[rockofcashel]

Another sign of the mans arrogance.

Like giving out copies of drafts of the bill to each parties for their considerations a few days ago, then coming back within an hour and telling them what was going to be in the bill, whether they liked it or not.

[Pidge]

Another sign of the mans arrogance.

Like giving out copies of drafts of the bill to each parties for their considerations a few days ago, then coming back within an hour and telling them what was going to be in the bill, whether they liked it or not.

And if he didn't do that, he'd be met with claims of "stalling while our children are abused" etc etc.

He's taking quite a beating in the Dáil though.

[KingKane]

I presume that McAleese will be asked to send this bill straight to the Supreme Court to test it's constitutionality to ensure that we have a robust solution.

[krayZpaving]

Can they not just listen to what he says?

It's very difficult to keep up with a thirty minute speech and get all the technical details which only take up a small portion of it. It's standard procedure for decades that the Minister's speech on any Bill is given to the Opposition (indeed, anyone who happens to be in the Chamber) as the speech commences.

[The OD]

I presume that McAleese will be asked to send this bill straight to the Supreme Court to test it's constitutionality to ensure that we have a robust solution.

Now now - when you presume, you make a pres out of U and ME....no wait, isnt that a clown out of you and me????

************************.

[KingKane]

McDowell has attempted to be snide about howlin not knowing the law which is interesting given that we're rushing through the legislation and we're not in a position give the law a full review.

And the gender neutrality is a huge problem, as is the idea that full sex is not an offense for a girl but other acts are.