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

I will be very brief. As Deputy Michael McGrath has outlined, we are not even discussing the Bill itself tonight or the amendments being tabled for tomorrow. We are only discussing whether they can be moved and discussed tomorrow. The Ceann Comhairle has ruled that this is what needs to happen and we agree with him. It is unfortunate. I hope it is not something we will have to do continually but I honestly believe the Government in this case is genuinely doing it for the right reasons.

The Minister of State knows our position in respect of the local property tax. We are completely opposed to it. While the amendments which are being proposed tomorrow offer some little protection to people in terms of being able to pay in instalments and in terms of the mortgage interest relief, we will debate those amendments tomorrow. I understand that we have tabled a number of amendments ourselves which will be discussed on Committee Stage tomorrow. I am not going to get into the pros and cons of those amendments or even those of the Government's proposals. The purpose of this motion is just to allow us to discuss them tomorrow and, therefore, we will be supporting it.

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