On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Members who first heard of the matter when Mr Quinan raised it would be concerned if you made a ruling after committee deliberations started. He seems to have raised a substantive point, particularly in respect of the European convention on human rights. Will you issue a ruling either before committee work starts on the bill or ensure that work on the bill is not started until your ruling has been issued?
I will reflect on the matter. The problem was that the bureau motions had been moved and I had no advance notice that a member wished to speak against the motion. Mr Quinan has a right to speak against it, but notice would have been helpful. Timings could have been altered accordingly and a brief discussion of the matter could have been arranged. I will consider what the member has said and make a ruling, if that is necessary.
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