Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017 is scheduled for Report Stage today. I am aware that we cannot have a debate about it now, but a very unusual set of rulings was made by the Chair at committee. Virtually every amendment proposed by the Opposition was ruled out of order on the basis of Standing Order 179(3), that is, on the basis that they proposed to impose a charge on the State. For example, an amendment that proposed to increase the compensation paid by employers generally was ruled out of order on the basis that the State is an employer. If that had general application we would never be able to propose an amendment to anything. If we were amending legislation on landlords or property rights, the State is a property owner. If we were amending contract law, the State enters into contracts and there might be a potential cost. It is a new departure which ruled out virtually all Opposition amendments. It puts us in an invidious situation in respect of Report Stage. I do not suppose there is a remedy for it but perhaps we could discuss it generally at the Sub-Committee on Dáil Reform.

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