For a government with little interest in an effective second chamber, say sceptics, delay may be an advantage.

ECONOMIST: Government by committee

The delay will cost related businesses several million dollars, the local Chamber of Commerce said.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

All Germany's Land barons have big leverage thanks to their seats in the Bundesrat, the second chamber of the Bonn parliament, which can veto some government bills and delay others.

ECONOMIST: Germany

The buddy system did however lead to an "inevitable delay compared to the normal process" as information was transferred from England and Northern Ireland, she told the chamber.

BBC: Democracy Live site links