Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

The position of the Opposition from the point of view of tabling reasonable, constructive amendments is ludicrous. This amendment follows up an amendment tabled by my colleague, Deputy Costello, which will be bombed out of the House by the Government later. It is an effort to put in place the first common plank of our platform for the next Government whereby there would be agreement on an independent commission. It is a hugely restrictive process if Opposition Members cannot make constructive proposals because there might be a cost to the Exchequer.

See this speech in context