Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

On a point of order, I support my colleague, Deputy O'Dowd, on this matter. I note also that the Ceann Comhairle ruled out of order amendments Nos. 20, 34, 39, 43 and 94, which I also tried to table on Committee Stage, on the basis that they involve a potential charge on the Revenue. I fail to understand the application of this rule. The Minister made changes and we do not yet have exact costings for the operations of the Dublin transport authority. It is unfortunate that these amendments have been ruled out of order as their purpose was to ensure the Dublin transport authority does not become a Health Service Executive on wheels and Deputies do not need to endlessly raise questions about the authority in the House, thereby annoying the Ceann Comhairle and wasting his time.

The Ceann Comhairle should at least allow Deputies to ventilate our demand for true democracy and accountability for the new Dublin transport authority. I did not want to vote against the Bill but I am being left with no alternative.

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