Debate on planning directive
Micheál Martin objects to deciding the planning-enforcement directive without debate, linking it to his broader complaint that Opposition Members are excluded from decisions about Dáil business.
It is not agreed. I think there should be a debate on this particular issue and I am at a loss as to why a debate in plenary session was not facilitated. Our general concern with the order of the day and the manner in which the business of the House has been organised is a very fundamental one.
I am not lecturing anyone. I am simply saying the way Members of the House are being treated is unacceptable. I say to the Minister that the Government is treating the Dáil with the kind of contempt he treated the students of Ireland with when he promised them, on the steps of Trinity College, that he would reduce third level charges and said, a month later, that he had to make that promise to get into power. As we know, Deputy Rabbitte said that is the kind of thing you do at an election.
Comment on this
The Government parties were burning bondholders and locking up bankers.
Comment on this
The Minister has used words like "discommode" and "inconvenience". This is not about inconveniencing anyone. I will be in Leinster House all day. It makes no difference to me what time the House sits. The issue is the manner in which the Dáil and the Members are being treated. There was a lack of courtesy and proper engagement with Opposition leaders and finance spokespeople last evening. There should have been consultation. The Chief Whip is not engaging with the other Whips. There is no genuine consultation. The affairs of the House are being organised by diktat.
The Minister said he is on throughout the course of the day. He has not been. That is the point.
Comment on this
Deputy Martin should speak to his own party Whip. There is a breakdown in communication.
Comment on this
As other Deputies have said, Opposition Whips have had no say in the scheduling of business or in what should be discussed today. The Whips on this side of the House were not invited to make any suggestions and no opportunity was provided to this side of the House to say we should discuss the negotiations that are taking place today. There will be a press conference in relation to that, but the Dáil will be behind the public with regard to knowledge or presentation on that issue, because the public will find out through the media first.
That is the basic issue. It is not a matter of being discommoded or inconvenienced. It is one of a fundamental lack of engagement and of respect for the Parliament.
There was no legislation in the middle of the night on any bank guarantee. This is being peddled as if it were a fact. It never happened.
Comment on this
The legislation on the bank guarantee was passed in broad daylight over a number of days. Deputy Durkan and others voted for it. Not only did they vote for it but their leader, now Taoiseach, wanted it extended to cover other banks that were not covered by it.
There should be debate on the proposal for dealing with No. 10. Why will there not be debate on this?
Comment on this
We are tidying up Deputy Martin's mess. He has some brass neck.
Comment on this
The Minister for Justice and Equality is a disgrace. What do the gardaí of Ireland think of him? It is costing us €300,000 a year to mind him. He is not worth it.