Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have to be frank and say I am not in a position to make a judgment on the quality or otherwise of the Ceann Comhairle's ruling. I accept it is made in good faith but I agree with Deputy Boyd Barrett that this is a very troubling set of circumstances. We all accept that the Ceann Comhairle has a function to discharge but the ruling raises a very serious question mark over the rights and discretion of Members of the Oireachtas, specifically members of the Opposition. All of us know that this money message provision has been used as an alibi by the Government to block legislation. That is an established fact. That leaves us with the question as to what we can do about it. I believe we have the discretion to change Standing Orders. The Ceann Comhairle says there is a constitutional dilemma in that. The Members presenting the motion say that is not the case. Why did Solidarity-People Before Profit Deputies receive notice of this only yesterday?

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