Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)

With respect to your good self, Acting Chairman, perhaps the Ceann Comhairle should be asked to attend the Chamber. In all the years I have been a Member — I have been a Chief Whip and an Opposition Whip — I have never seen amendments ruled out of order on the basis that they were declaratory. That is a ridiculous argument to put to anybody. This is a debating Chamber. We are here to debate issues. If the Government does not like what we are saying, we can push it to a vote. That is why we have a voting system. Debate has to be allowed. Are we going to be muzzled to the point that we can only speak to a stupid point of principle that someone decides on?

This letter from the Ceann Comhairle is not a proper explanation as to why the main Opposition party's amendments should be ruled out of order. We live in a democracy. I appeal to you, Acting Chairman, to ask the Ceann Comhairle to come to the Chamber to answer our queries because you are creating a precedent. Some day you might be over on this side of the House and you might feel what it is like not to be able to debate issues. Once this decision is taken, there is a precedent. Precedents are covered by Standing Orders. I do not want to create a precedent. What does "declaratory" mean? What is wrong with the amendments?

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