Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I take this opportunity to again record my grievous annoyance at the way this Bill is being dealt with by Government. There is no reason ample time could not have been provided for us to debate these amendments in detail. What we are discussing are wide-ranging changes which will impact hugely on the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, yet less than one hour tonight and two hours tomorrow has been provided to debate them, which is regrettable. Regardless of the timetable in terms of these provisions having to come into effect on 1 January, we could have spent all day tomorrow and Friday on Committee Stage. I do not understand the Government's unseemly haste to have Second Stage of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012 done and dusted by 6 p.m. on Friday evening. The Revenue Commissioners will only begin implementing this measure some time in May or June next year, yet Second Stage of that legislation must be completed by 6 p.m. on Friday evening and Committee Stage is to be taken next Tuesday. This is clearly being done for political reasons, which I regret. It flies in the face of all the promises we heard about the new politics to be introduced following the election of this Government in terms of the way business in this House is done and the use of the guillotine. It does not appear new to me.

I do not have any strong views in regard to these amendments. As stated by Deputy Ó Snodaigh, the Bill deals with more than social welfare. Perhaps the wording of the Bill would be improved if these amendments were accepted. I am not sure. I look forward to hearing what the Minister has to same about them.

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