Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I tabled four amendments to the section which have been ruled out of order, but for the life of me I cannot understand the reason. I mentioned this on Second Stage also. There is no point in challenging that decision - we have learned that from having had a few years' experience - but we come to the same point time and again. I introduced a Bill in the Dáil that was not out of order proposing a reduction in rates, which I was told we were allowed to do, and which would not pose a charge on taxpayers. In the four amendments I tabled to this Bill I proposed reducing the rate the Minister suggested, and my reason for doing that is that the business community is well aware that this measure is coming down the tracks. The Minister is providing for the relief to be phased out over a number of years up to 2017, yet no consideration is given to phasing in or out other measures the Minister has brought in through the Finance Bill - for example, the single carer's allowance for single fathers. They do not have four years over which they will lose that tax credit, yet some of the wealthier in society are being given a phasing-out period for this relief, during which the rate is being reduced from 75% to 50% to 25%. My amendments propose the phasing out of the relief over a shorter period, which would be fairer. I ask the Minister to consider amending the section on Report Stage to deal more quickly with the phasing out of this relief.

There is a bigger point at issue here - namely, that if we are to have a proper debate on the finance legislation, a change to the Standing Orders is required and also, possibly, a constitutional change. I have had 13 or 14 amendments ruled out of order. I tabled 32 amendments in total and I hope my amendments to later sections will be accepted by the Minister. I desire in some of my amendments to correct what are, in my view, errors or omissions in the Finance Bill, while in other amendments I disagree with the Minister's policy choice and direction. I ask him to take that on board if we are to have real political reform.

With regard to the section, as the Minister is the only person who can bring forward a proposal to reduce these percentages and phase out the relief more quickly over a shorter period, I ask him to consider doing that for Report Stage, when this Bill will come before the Dáil again.