Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

It is not agreed. I oppose the proposal of the Taoiseach in this regard because it is completely inappropriate to guillotine the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011. The Order of Business as proposed only allows for half an hour to complete Committee and Report and Final Stages despite the fact that Opposition parties have tabled 21 amendments. The amendments are serious, substantive and are designed to save the taxpayer money. Are we serious about political reform? I am unsure what it says about the attitude of the Government in terms of political reform when it seeks to use its overwhelming majority to ram through a measure such as this in half an hour. It is incredible and unjustified. I call for this to be reconsidered and for some time to be allowed to debate Committee and Report Stages. Even if a vote is taken on Second Stage, as the order stands the vote would take time out of the half an hour allocated for discussion of 21 amendments. This is farcical in terms of how we order our business in the House. I call on the Taoiseach to reconsider this and to allow time for Committee and Report Stages tomorrow.

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