Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I argued with the Minister about this matter on Second Stage and beforehand when the cut was made. I contend that my amendment is relevant to the provisions of the Bill because this is a Social Welfare Bill. The decision taken about my amendment reflects the peculiar nature of how this House works. Restrictions on Deputies is one of the issues that arose during the Constitutional Convention.

I hope that whenever the report from the Constitutional Convention is debated in the House, the constitutional block on Deputies from the Opposition is lifted. I would prefer a situation where we can have realistic debates and proposals. Obviously, the Government retains full control of the finances. Those of us in opposition do not have the ability to force the Government to do anything because we do not have a majority. It is a strange provision in the Constitution and sometimes it is interpreted in the extreme.

I have made the arguments on the effects of the cut to respite care. There is an online petition calling on the Minister, even at this late stage, to take the opportunity to look again at the cut she made. I have read some of the statements into the Official Report and I do not intend to take up time doing that today, but perhaps the Minister would take the time to read the petition and the comments from carers, those being cared for and their families on how the cuts have affected them. I encourage people to read the testimony and I call on the Minister to examine the testimony once more and give an indication of her position. Even at this late stage the Opposition would be quite accommodating if the Minister announced an intention to introduce a Report Stage amendment.