Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)

The Minister is obviously not happy to do so because he has given advice that a policy measure be excluded from being debated at the finance committee. This year, his officials also raised concerns about another amendment we brought forward until we pointed out that the amendment was previously submitted to a Finance Bill and had been accepted. This is not a reflection on anybody but I want to raise the fact that I have a responsibility and a right to bring forward proposals. If we are going to get into the situation where we are spending taxpayers’ money on a measure to support people as a result of mortgages but we cannot look for the detailed policy that underpins that, namely, the rates that are being charged and whether the banks are passing them on, then that is nonsense. It is ridiculous. The shutters should not be coming down on this. It is the first time we have seen this in a long time. As I say, I have seen amendments ruled out of order and I have accepted those decisions. I just do not want to see this happen again.