Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is proposed to take No. a9, Finance Bill 2012 – Financial Resolutions; No. b9, Finance Bill 2012 – Allocation of Time Motion for Select sub-Committee; No. c9, motion re Presentation and Circulation of Revised Estimates 2012; No. d9, motion re Standing Orders 27A and 160; and No. 15, Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011 - Second Stage (Resumed).

It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that Nos. a9, b9, c9 and d9 shall be decided without debate and any division demanded on No. c9 shall be taken forthwith; and in the case of No. a9, the Financial Resolutions Nos. 1 – 47, shall be moved together and decided by one question which shall be put from the Chair.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There is one proposal to be put to the House. Is the proposal for dealing with No. a9, Finance Bill 2012 – Financial Resolutions, No. b9, Finance Bill 2012 – Allocation of Time Motion for Select sub-Committee, No. c9, motion re Presentation and Circulation of Revised Estimates 2012 and No. d9, motion re Standing Orders 27A and 160, without debate, agreed to?

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Last week I asked the Tánaiste to ensure that there would be no guillotine on Committee Stage or on Report Stage of the Finance Bill, a Bill that is technical and heavy in detail and one that will impact hard on the ordinary people across the State.

The Tánaiste has suggested that the House agree to a guillotine on all sections of Committee Stage of this Bill. If one looks deeper at what is in the Bill, the first group, sections 1 to 17, includes probably the most controversial sections which allow for SARP, the tax write-down for those who will come in here from abroad, and other issues such as the pensions. It deals with the universal social charge and many other issues. In that group of sections, to which the Government is allocating three hours, there are 76 amendments tabled for Committee Stage. There are three hours for 76 amendments and yet for all the other sections, which make up 14.5 hours of debate, there are only 41 amendments tabled. This is a typical ploy, used by Government time and again, where the most controversial issues are guillotined. It is completely unfair and makes no sense that three hours would be given to debate 76 amendments and 14.5 hours to debate 41 amendments. I ask the Tánaiste to withdraw this motion to allow the Select Sub-Committee on Finance, which meets at 2 o'clock, to discuss how best to deal with this legislation in Committee. If the Government truly values having proper participation on all Stages of this legislation, it will lift the guillotine and lift this motion.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It was bad enough when the Labour and Fine Gael Government went back on its previous and many declarations in opposition to guillotines in this Chamber. Now, it is bringing the guillotine into the committee room. These issues need as much debate as the members of the finance committee, which is a substantial committee in terms of its membership, deem to be necessary. Therefore, this is not acceptable.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There is a time limit on the period in which the Finance Bill has to be enacted. It is not an open-ended situation. What is being proposed here is an arrangement for time as between different sections of the Bill. First, those who apply themselves to Committee Stage work are well aware it very often happens that they can start on a Bill but debate bogs down in the early sections and the later sections are not reached. Therefore, it is a sensible arrangement that there should be a time allocation for different chunks of the Bill. Second, as we know, many of the amendments are related. Members will find that, in practice, the committee will debate a number of the amendments together. The Government is satisfied that the time arrangements are adequate and generous.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Is this new Labour?

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Sinn Féin nua or continuity Sinn Féin?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I must put the question.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

When does the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government intend to publish regulations under the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012?

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Next week.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We were told that two weeks ago.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

On the forthcoming Bill to amend the European Communities Act 1972, does the Government intend to include the treaty on stability, co-ordination and governance - the fiscal compact - in the expanded definition of EU treaties covered by that Act?

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Bill to which the Deputy referred, which I will bring forward, is required to be introduced in advance of the Minister for Finance introducing legislation in respect of the European Stability Mechanism. Issues relating to the treaty are being considered by the Attorney General, and the Government is awaiting her advice.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Is that a "Yes" or a "No"?

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We must await the Attorney General's advice.