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Dáil
‹ Order of Business

More time for budget debate

Summary

Mary Lou McDonald objected to the limited time for budget debate and sought to reorder Monday’s business. Pat Rabbitte cited other scheduled legislation, while the Ceann Comhairle said Government business could only be changed if the House rejected the proposal.

It is not agreed. I presume it is deliberate that we are being afforded so little time to debate the budget. Next week, as we know, will be taken up with the social welfare Bill. We have had some debate on the expert report and while I fully appreciate that more consideration is necessary, at a minimum we need to change the order for Monday to allow Members of the Dáil to have a full debate on the provisions of the budget. It would be very ironic if this was being discussed everywhere throughout the length and breadth of the country bar in here. I ask that the Government reconsider the order for Monday and make allowance for that debate.

Comment on this

I cannot change the order for Monday.

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The Deputy will be aware that it was she and others who sought that we would make special provision, as we have done, to discuss the report of the expert group on the A, B and C v. Ireland case. Uniquely in my experience, we will be sitting for five days next week. Apart from that, the social welfare Bill, a central part of the budget, will be taken next week as will the property tax Bill on Friday. There will be more than adequate time for whatever contributions the Deputy wants to repeat. If she believes that is inadequate, I am happy to ask the Whips to facilitate her and leave it open-ended if that is what she wishes. However, we cannot change the order for Monday.

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A Cheann Comhairle-----

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

I am sorry, we cannot have a debate.

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I am asking for your guidance on this matter. It is not to facilitate me, but to facilitate the Members of the Dáil. This is a democratic forum and it is a budget. Why can the business not be reordered? Can you give us clarity on that?

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

Government business is set by the Government.

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We have a member of the Government sitting opposite.

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

We cannot amend it. The Deputy can object to the proposal as she is doing. If there is a majority in favour of that objection, then the business can be changed. It is my business to put the question.

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Division Carried

Question put: "That the proposal for dealing with No. 5 be agreed to."

Tá 78
·
Níl 41

Do you agree with this result?

Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

Is the proposal for dealing with No. 6 agreed to? Agreed.

The time has expired for the Order of Business, therefore, I am obliged to move on.

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