Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)

It does not relate to section 5, which deals with kidney donors. It relates to section 4 and was to be inserted before section 5. I will come in on section 5 but it deals with kidney donors. This amendment was to insert a new section after the section on mortgage interest relief and before the section on kidney donors. It was to provide for a report on the banks passing on ECB rates in a timely manner to mortgage holders in the form of lower interest rates. I understand that has been ruled out of order, citing a Standing Order which is about relevance. How in God’s name could this not be relevant when we are talking about taxpayers’ money having to go to support mortgage holders as a result of banks not passing on ECB interest rates? I am deeply shocked and I want direction from the Chair. Did the Department or the Journal Office come up with this? This cannot happen. As a TD, I am elected and it is my responsibility and job to bring forward amendments to the Finance Bill. I have had amendments to Finance Bills ruled out of order and I understand why but there is no way this amendment should be ruled out of order. Somebody is preventing me from tabling legislation here and that is not acceptable in my view.