Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We all agree the circumstances are not ideal that we have to make all these decisions just after the election but there is the opportunity to annul it. It is unnecessary to have to come back in here to seek an extension because of the complications. We do not know what the situation will be with the virus or with the formation of a Government and the Seanad and so on. There might be an unnecessary complication and it might cause us difficulty down the road when we want to help people, as I know Members want to do. We are asking Members to accept that this amendment is unnecessary. If Members are unhappy with a decision that is made not by one Minister but by the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, the Minister for Health or the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, this House can annul it straight away - the next day if need be - or within the following 21 days. We believe that is enough of a precautionary measure and I ask Members to consider that. I know we are talking about an extension but we do not know what will happen in the next 90 days.

On Deputy Barry's amendment, he is asking us to go to 12 months. All these income supports and changes we are introducing are being done for a three-month period. That is why this period is aligned with that and why they are aligned together.

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