Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

If the Ceann Comhairle will bear with me, I did not intend for this to become acrimonious. There are a number of propositions, and I know Deputy Burton, on behalf of the Labour Party, will be opposing specifically the proposals for the financial resolutions. There is a separate proposal dealing with the allocation of time in dealing with the Finance Bill. The budget debate was truncated because the budget was not introduced until 9 December. It is possible that Members of this House who did not get the opportunity to speak during the budget debate may want to contribute to the Finance Bill and they may wish to oppose the allocation of time motion.

The problem arises that because all these elements are being put together, only one speaker from each party will be allowed to speak on the procedural proposal. Once that is passed, nobody may address the specific issues, which are to be taken without debate. By allowing the Government to put all these proposals together, Members are in effect being prevented from speaking on these issues.

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