Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

A Cheann Comhairle, under what standing order are you bringing in this procedure? We are being told that amendments in our name are being disallowed by you because we are trying to introduce new material, but in this case you allow the Government to rescind a formal decision taken by the House without any "by your leave". I do not think that is fair play. If the Minister feels that this Bill should not have the amendment that has been made, he can reintroduce a Bill to delete it. I could understand a new amendment being tabled later in the day which would involve the deletion of this section and there would be an opportunity to consider whether that was right. I am sure the Minister would have a procedure for that but what is happening now is that the Minister is pretending yesterday's events never happened and that is not fair to the respective sides of the House. Rules seem to be-----

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