Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 23 October 2019

Select Committee on Children and Youth Affairs

Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2019: Committee Stage

Photo of Alan FarrellAlan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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That is understood. On Committee Stage in the Dáil, as is the case with local authorities, when items are ruled out of order, leeway is given. I have provided that leeway. The Minister made a contribution on an item that had been ruled out of order. We cannot have a debate on items that are out of order but the members can make general contributions on each section and I encourage them to do so. The member who proposes a motion that is in order can make two contributions, an initial contribution and one following the Minister's reply, while other members may make one contribution to an amendment. There are 27 amendments and only five have been ruled out of order. The members have the right to make a contribution to any amendment that is in order and I am here to ensure their rights are respected. They have to understand, though, that I also have a job to do. I do not want to have a row with anybody nor to curtail debate.