Dáil debates
Wednesday, 27 May 2020
An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
12:00 pm
David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source
That is today. It is to be taken after the Taoiseach's questions. There is a fundamental problem here because there is a flaw in this process. These Revised Estimates have not yet been published. We, as a party, have sought a detailed briefing on them; we have not got one. If we hold off passing this motion until 2 o'clock, it will delay the publication of the Revised Estimates even more. This is a very unusual circumstance. We have a caretaker Government and an unelected Minister. We have Estimates being presented which, based on the figures we have seen, suggest that the pandemic unemployment payment, PUP, and the wage subsidy scheme will end in June. That is outrageous if that is the proposition that is being put or if it is the case that the Estimates are going to be out of date even before we debate them. This is ludicrous. We cannot support the Order of Business unless we get a guarantee from Government that the Estimates will be published today as soon as possible and that there is a clear verbal briefing for the Opposition. We have sought it in writing and have been told that it is not forthcoming. That is unacceptable. We will oppose the Order of Business if we do not get that commitment from Government.
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