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Dáil
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Money messages and blocked Bills

Summary

Deputy Paul Murphy and others objected to the business because the Government was using money messages and related procedures to block many Bills, especially climate and other progressive measures. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle repeatedly cut off extended argument, and the Chief Whip said the House had to proceed with a crowded final week’s agenda.

Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

We have heard the announcement of the business for the week. There are three proposals to be put to the House. Are the proposals for dealing with Tuesday's business agreed to?

Comment on this

They are not agreed to. We cannot agree to an Order of Business for the final sitting week before the summer recess that does not allow the Dáil to address the scandalous abuse of money messages by the Government. The Government has been acting in a manner that is completely undemocratic and arguably unconstitutional by using the denial of money messages to ensure Bills that have the support of a majority in this House are prevented from progressing. I have a list of over 50 Bills in alphabetical order.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

Okay.

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The first is the Anti-Evictions Bill 2018.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

The Deputy does not have to go through them. I will not let him do so.

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The third is the Banded Hours Contract Bill 2016.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

We get the Deputy's point.

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The last in alphabetical order is the waste management Bill.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

The Deputy does not agree with the Order of Business.

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We know that the Bills on the list will be be joined by others-----

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The Deputy is not saving the planet with all that paper.

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-----including the No Consent, No Sale Bill 2019 and the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

Will the Deputy, please, listen?

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This is relevant to the Order of Business.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

I know the point the Deputy is making.

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The irony is completely lost on him.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

He does not agree with the proposal.

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The reasoned response to the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Amendment) (Climate Emergency Measures) Bill 2018 which is extremely important gives the game away.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

We will deal with it.

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The content of the reasoned response is not about money.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

There is no need for an explanation.

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The Government thinks it has an executive veto which it does not have.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

There is no need for an explanation.

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It is using that executive veto.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

Will the Deputy, please, resume his seat?

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Time needs to be provided this week to amend Standing Orders.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

There are other Members who want to use the Order of Business also.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

There is a problem.

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We have proposed a motion to amend Standing Orders in a way that would resolve this issue.

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This is a stunt.

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There are other proposals-----

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

I will hear from your-----

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-----for which time needs to be allocated.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

I will be putting it to the House.

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We need to have that discussion this week.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

The House will decide.

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We need to stop this veto.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

The Business Committee makes recommendations and the House decides.

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A Leas-Cheann Comhairle-----

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

No, the Deputy has been represented. I ask Deputy Mattie McGrath to be very short.

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The Rural Independent Group is not happy with the proposal to consider the establishment of a citizens' assembly today without debate.

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A Leas-Cheann Comhairle-----

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

No, one for each group.

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I support Deputy Paul Murphy. The Government has treated the Order of Business in this House in a way that is completely undemocratic. The Deputy has cited the example of the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Amendment) (Climate Emergency Measures) Bill 2018 which is critical. The Government has used money messages at the end of a lengthy process which involved this House voting to proceed to Committee Stage.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

Okay. The Deputy does not have to expand.

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The Government's approach to the climate emergency Bill is the worst and most egregious example.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

Deputy Eamon Ryan does not have to expand.

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It is absolutely appropriate to stand up for the rights of this House.

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Members are allowed to put their case.

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The Government has interfered in the ordering of legislation in an unconstitutional way.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

The Deputy has had his chance.

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It is fully appropriate that this be a key issue for consideration before we adjourn for the summer.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

Are the proposals with which we are dealing-----

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I am sorry, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle-----

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

No. The Deputy was represented. I took one Deputy from each group. Are the proposals for dealing with Tuesday's business agreed to?

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Can we get an answer from the Government?

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

Does the Chief Whip wish to speak?

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Seán Kyne Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach Fine Gael

We are in the last week. The amount of business we are trying to get through makes it one of the busiest weeks of the year. We have tried to comply with all of the requests that have come in in recent days. We are facilitating a question and answer session on the Mercosur deal. We are setting aside time for a debate on Mr. Justice O'Neill's report. The Ceann Comhairle submitted the request that came to the Business Committee with regard to money messages to the Committee on Procedure. He expects to receive a report on the matter in the autumn.

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