Madam Chair, I rise on behalf of the DA to state our support for the Bill, because we see the need for it. However, in the committee this morning, barely three hours ago, this Bill was presented to the select committee by an official of the National Assembly portfolio committee.
The method by which it was conveyed to the select committee of the NCOP annoyed all the members of all the parties equally. In fact, if it hadn't been for the seriousness of this Bill and the impact of the time that lapses on the previous Bill's extension to 31 December, I can assure you that that committee would have rejected the Bill.
I therefore register, on behalf of the DA, our extreme disappointment at the way the NCOP is being treated by the portfolio committee chairperson and at the way in which the department involved has dealt with us this morning, but at the same time we do understand the need for the Bill and we will support it.