Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This is extremely important legislation. In a few moments we will be discussing the establishment of SOLAS under the Further Education and Training Bill 2013. As stated, the Education and Training Boards Bill 2012 is both ground-breaking and reforming in nature. It is one of three primary legislative measures with which we are dealing. There is cross-party support for the Bill because everyone recognises the importance of it.

I accept that the Minister of State cannot do anything now about the matter I intend to raise. However, this is the only opportunity I will have to bring it to his attention. I refer to the significant number of amendments that were ruled out of order because they would have imposed a charge on the Exchequer. As Opposition spokespersons, Deputy Robert Troy and I were trying to be constructive in some of the amendments we had tabled. A number of them were very similar to the ones the Minister introduced. I refer to the amendments which suggested increasing the level of representation on the board from 18 to 21 members. However, when the Opposition parties table amendments of this sort, they are ruled out of order because it is perceived that they would give rise to a charge on the Exchequer. We are unable to bring forward any amendment which would impose such a charge.

It is extremely frustrating for Opposition spokespersons who bring forward good, well meaning amendments to have them ruled out of order on a continual basis. I accept that the Minister of State cannot deal with this matter, but consideration must be given to it. As a relatively newly elected Member, it is extremely frustrating that we spend a great deal of time studying legislation and bringing forward constructive amendments which, in our opinion, would enhance it only to have them ruled out of order. This is not just our opinion because the Minister of State took on board some of the suggestions Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin made in their amendments and then brought forward his own alternatives. I congratulate him in that regard. As stated, however, it is very discouraging to spend time drafting amendments and then have them ruled out of order because they would give rise to a charge on the Exchequer. If we are unable to bring forward amendments to legislation as important as that before the House in order to increase the membership of a board, there is something drastically wrong with the way we do our business.

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