An apparent filibuster by Fine Gael yesterday put at risk the chances of the Government's E-commerce Bill passing into law before the Dail breaks up for the summer at the end of June, writes Karlin Lillington. Such a delay would put Ireland further behind other states in the adoption of essential legal guidelines, Longford/Roscommon Fine Gael TD Mr Denis Naughten ran out the time allotted to the Bill yesterday in what had been expected to be its final reading.
Already running months behind its original schedule, the Bill has had strong cross-party support and has been passed in the Seanad. Earlier in the hour-long debate, other Fine Gael deputies emphasised that the Republic's ability to compete effectively and take a leadership role in European e-commerce could be at risk because of delays.
The Bill has already been postponed once as deputies prioritised other issues, most recently a Bill to liberalise drinking laws. It is uncertain whether time can be found now to conclude debate, on the Bill in the time remaining this Dail session. A Fine Gael spokesman denied the Bill had been filibustered and said the party fully expected it to be passed by the end of June.
