Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Tánaiste spoke about choice. This Government has an unprecedented and overwhelming majority. We have seen as late as today how it has abused that majority in terms of ramming through important legislation without any opportunity for debate. It has not taken the opportunity of its significant majority to change radically the manner in which politics in this country is done or how Parliament is constructed and operated, which it, and every other party, promised they would do during the election campaign.

Only three of the 88 amendments tabled to the property tax Bill before Christmas were dealt with. Only two and a half hours are provided for the Committee Stage debate this evening. There will be no opportunity to table further amendments or discuss those tabled. The legislation is being rammed through so that the Revenue Commissioners can issue their letters next Monday and Tuesday. That is how insignificant and irrelevant the Government believes Parliament is now. The Government does not need an addition to its overwhelming majority, which it is abusing daily.

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