Next steps for climate bill
Deputy Smith and others objected to the committee process, while the Chair and Tánaiste said the Business Committee had already set out the route forward. The Tánaiste stated the sponsor should table a motion in Private Members’ time if there was disagreement.
A Leas-Cheann Comhairle, are you the custodian of Standing Orders or not? You and the Ceann Comhairle are the custodians of Standing Orders and if so, you should make sure they are applied. It is the two of you who are responsible for the abuse, not us.
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To respond to the question raised by Deputy Boyd Barrett, I understand he attended the meeting of the Business Committee this morning and is possibly even more familiar with the matter than I am. Will he, please, resume his seat? We are going to make progress.
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You have not seen the real me either.
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We will deal with Deputy Mattie McGrath next. Will the Tánaiste advise the House of the current position on the Bill. I know that it is with the joint committee where it is blocked, but Deputy Boyd Barrett will be aware, having attended the meeting of the Business Committee this morning, of how the matter can be dealt with.
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My understanding is the Business Committee decided this morning that, because of the disagreement on the issue and the fact that the Bill had stalled on Committee Stage, the way to deal with the matter was for the sponsor of the Bill to introduce a motion in Private Members' time to agree on the way forward.
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That is not what was agreed to.
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That is my understanding from my Whip of what was agreed to at the Business Committee this morning. If there is a different interpretation, I would like to hear it, but that is my understanding of what the Business Committee recommended and agreed to. It is a matter not for the Government but for the Business Committee.