Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As Deputies in the Opposition are free to use the time available as they see fit as long as the Leas-Cheann Comhairle deems it to be in order, I have no objection to how people use that time.

I will address the first suggestion that, since time is being restricted, there is insufficient time to debate the Bill. The Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012 was passed by the Dáil and the Seanad before Christmas and was signed by the President. That legislation is not before the House tonight. Rather, an amendment Bill of 16 sections is before the House. It is quite a short Bill. All of its sections address particular difficulties that Deputies and others who made representations to me saw with the Act. This Bill contains a series of amendments to improve the legislation arising from the debate on Second and Committee Stages before Christmas.

Yet, most of the speeches tonight - Members are entitled to use the time in whatever way they like - addressed the Bill which passed before Christmas and was signed by the President. There are 16 sections in the Bill and although we are on Committee Stage we have not addressed one amendment yet.

On the allegation that there is insufficient time for the Bill, we had Second Stage on Friday and some good contributions were made. I took a break for lunch but I was present for most of the debate on Friday. As the time moved on from 2.30 p.m. to 2.45 p.m. and 3 p.m. - with the debate due to end at 3.30 p.m. - if the Chief Whip had not put in Government Deputies to keep the debate going it would have collapsed.

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