Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

——or Ministers of the Government are given this monopoly. Whether this is right or wrong is a constitutional matter and I believe there are good reasons for it. Standing Orders of this House provide that amendments which would have the effect of impinging on the Government's function in this matter are not in order. I will look at all the Deputy's amendments to see if there is any substance to them even though they have been ruled out of order for one reason or another. I will look carefully at all amendments whether ruled in order or out of order, to see whether they contain something of value.

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