Dáil debates

Friday, 14 December 2012

10:30 am

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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It is proposed to take No. 17, motion re Credit Institutions (Stabilisation) Act 2010, and No. 7, Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage.


It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that No. 17 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 65 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply: the speech of a Minister or a Minister of State and the main spokespersons for Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and the Technical Group who shall be called on in that order and may share their time shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case; a Minister or a Minister of State shall be called on to make a speech in reply which shall not exceed five minutes; the sitting shall be suspended at 2 p.m. for 30 minutes; Second Stage of No. 7 shall be taken today and, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 6 p.m.; the Dáil shall sit on Monday, 17 December 2012 at 10.30 a.m. and adjourn not later than 4.30 p.m.; there shall be no Order of Business within the meaning of Standing Order 26 and, accordingly, the business to be transacted shall be as follows: No. 35, statements on the report of the expert group on the judgment in the A,B and C v. Ireland case (resumed), and No. 33, Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012 Seanad - Second Stage (resumed) which shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 4.30 p.m. and any division demanded shall be taken immediately after the Order of Business on Tuesday, 18 December 2012.

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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There are four proposals to be put to the House. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 17, motion re Credit Institutions (Stabilisation) Act 2010, agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with the suspension of the sitting agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with Second Stage of No. 7, Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012, agreed to?

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is not agreed. In the strongest possible terms I oppose the manner in which the Government proposes to treat the Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill by ramming it through the Dáil and the Seanad in the space of one week. This is a 70 page Bill with 159 sections containing significant detail and giving extensive powers to Revenue to enter homes. It introduces a tax that will hit the one quarter of mortgage holders who are in arrears, as we heard yesterday, which is a clear demonstration that this is the wrong tax at the wrong time. It will also hit hard-pressed mortgage holders who are paying their way, including unemployed persons and welfare recipients. Yesterday we heard that local authority tenants would have their rents increased as a result of this property tax on local authority housing. That is not to mention those in negative equity or people who have paid massive amounts in stamp duty. The hit on Dublin families as a result of this tax will be enormous.

I do not understand why the Government is insisting on proceeding as proposed. We had a disgraceful situation yesterday on the Social Welfare Bill. Is the Government afraid of public interaction with Deputies in this Chamber or is it afraid that there is more than one Member on the Government backbenches who is prepared to stand up, have a conscience-----

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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They are hidden away.

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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-----oppose and fulfil the commitments given while in opposition?

Photo of Barry CowenBarry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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They are pirouetting on the plinth.

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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There seems to be a genuine drive by the Government to deny debate and discussion in the House on these issues. This morning I listened to the Minister, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, talk about that small sliver in the Labour Party that preferred opposition and advocacy to being in government.

Photo of Timmy DooleyTimmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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He was a sliver once himself.

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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It suggested to me the democratic centralist tendencies, so beloved of The Workers' Party, are alive and well and in control.

Photo of Michael McCarthyMichael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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The Dali Lama of Ballinlough has some neck.

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister and his ilk within the Labour Party-----

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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We are straying from the question before the House.

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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-----have succeeded in driving out the last vestiges of old decent Labour into the cold.

Photo of John LyonsJohn Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour)
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There is nobody from the media present to listen to the Deputy.

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is a sad scene to behold that the Trotsky of Tallaght has become the mudguard of Fine Gael in the Government.

A Deputy:

The Deputy is some hypocrite.

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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A Cheann Comhairle-----

(Interruptions).

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Please allow Deputy Doherty to make his point.

Photo of Michael NoonanMichael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The Abbey has moved to Cork.

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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I object to proposal No. 3. It is unacceptable that the family home tax legislation is to be rammed through the Dáil, with the debate on Second Stage to conclude by 6 p.m. and all other Stages to be taken on Tuesday.

Even though there is an additional sitting next Monday, the Government does not see fit to allow this House to debate one of the most draconian pieces of legislation we have seen, which extends huge powers to the Revenue Commissioners to deduct a property tax from people's salaries, social welfare payments, farm assist payments and so on. It is clear that the Government does not want a proper scrutiny of this tax and the new powers extended to the Revenue Commissioners. We all know that the Tánaiste promised not to introduce a property tax, but we also know that the Minister, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, thinks that is just what the Labour Party does before elections.

(Interruptions).

10:40 am

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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It is absolutely appalling that the same families that were hit by the reduction of €325 in the respite care grant will be hit by a property tax if this legislation is passed next Tuesday. The one in four households that cannot pay their mortgages and the families already in poverty will be slapped with this tax by the Labour Party and Fine Gael. It is another broken promise.

The commitment by both parties in government to treat this House with respect has been ignored.

(Interruptions).

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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This is not the way to deal with legislation. Members of the Labour Party and Fine Gael should stand up and say this is not acceptable on their watch.

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Doherty should play Angry Birds.

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I have called the Minister to reply.

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I am surprised by the comments of the two Deputies opposite. There cannot have been a more debated measure before Dáil Éireann for a very long time.

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Where is Big Phil?

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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This measure has been signalled for at least a year and debated up and down the country. I am especially surprised at Deputy Micheál Martin given that he negotiated it.

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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That is absolutely untrue.

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Settle down, Deputies. The Minister must be allowed to reply.

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Nothing that Mr. Angry from Donegal says surprises me. Anger, unfortunately, is not a policy and I look forward to multiple returns on the home tax from some of the Sinn Féin Deputies. However, it ill behoves the man who negotiated the property tax to come in here posturing like a pantomime dame as if he were now opposed to it, having introduced it in the first place. I know a shop near the Gaiety where he could get a wig for the rest of the Christmas.

A Deputy:

Yes you do.

(Interruptions).

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am putting the question.

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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A Cheann Comhairle, this is a disgrace.

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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We are not having a debate. I am putting the question.

(Interruptions).

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputies, please. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 7 agreed to?

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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This House is being treated with contempt.

Photo of Derek KeatingDerek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Fianna Fáil treated this House with contempt for 14 years.

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I ask Deputy Martin to resume his seat.

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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We are not getting an opportunity to debate what is going on here today.

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Please resume your seat, Deputy. You had your say and we are now going to vote.

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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We were promised a democratic revolution. Instead we have a sitting next Monday to deal with business that nobody on this side of the House requested.

(Interruptions).

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is the usual ploy from this Government.

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is the proposal for dealing with No. 7, Second Stage of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012, agreed to?

Deputies:

No.

Question put:

The Dáil divided: Tá, 66; Níl, 35.

Tellers: Tá, Deputies Paul Kehoe and John Lyons; Níl, Deputies Seán Ó Fearghaíl and Aengus Ó Snodaigh.

Question declared carried.

10:50 am

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is the proposal for the sitting and business of the Dáil on Monday, 17 December 2012, agreed to?

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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No. Again, we are opposing the Government's proposal in respect of the sitting on Monday next. What is happening in this House is quite farcical. In the past week alone, we passed Supplementary Estimates in respect of health and welfare totalling €1 billion without any plenary discussion in the Dáil. Yesterday, the Government rammed through the Social Welfare Bill and no one had the opportunity to discuss, or to even articulate an opinion on, issues relating to child benefit, the removal of the PRSI exemption, the reduction in jobseeker's allowance and the many other measures it contains. There was no debate whatsoever. Today, the Government will ram through the Second Stage of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill in order to shut down the debate on a property tax that will impact on every household in the country.

A Deputy:

Fianna Fáil negotiated that tax.

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The House will sit on Monday and there will be no Order of Business. Again, this is perhaps aimed at trying to deflect from the core issues of social welfare and the property tax. What is happening is very cynical. The Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, indicated that nothing has been discussed more than the property tax. He is completely misleading the House in this regard. The Thornhill report has been in the relevant Minister's hands since July. That report provides the intellectual backdrop to the introduction of this tax.

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Fianna Fáil gave us the backdrop to it.

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The report to which I refer was only published on Friday last in the aftermath of the budget. There should have been a specific discussion on that report in advance of the legislation being brought forward.

Photo of Michael NoonanMichael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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Fianna Fáil provided the backdrop to the introduction of the property tax.

(Interruptions).

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The point I am making here relates to the suppression of debate. What is happening here is another attempt to shut down any form of discussion. This Government promised a democratic revolution and the Minister of State with responsibility for Dáil procedures stated that there would be no guillotining of non-emergency legislation. The rationale behind what is being done here has not, despite all the smart comments, been explained by the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte. Why is this happening? Why is the House being denied an opportunity to debate this and other issues?

This is, as far as we are concerned, an extremely important matter, particularly in the context of Deputies being given an opportunity to debate the legislation in detail. I wish to put an alternative proposal whereby we could still have the sitting on Monday but that we would take Committee Stage of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012 instead of the other business that has been scheduled.

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I thank the Deputy.

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The legislation to which I refer will have an impact on every household throughout the country and it could also have an impact on churches, charities, etc., and we need an opportunity to discuss it.

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy has had a fair hearing.

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I accept that what is happening is not the Ceann Comhairle's fault.

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I appreciate that. I merely wish to be fair to everybody. I call Deputy Pearse Doherty.

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is intent on ramming the legislation through with unseemly haste. What it is doing is both wrong and disgraceful.

Photo of Timmy DooleyTimmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The tax is not due to be introduced until July.

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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We want to object to the way the business for Monday's sitting has been ordered. We have no objection to the House sitting on Monday, Indeed Sinn Féin called for such a sitting in order that an additional debate on budgetary matters might take place. The proposal before the House indicates that Monday's sitting will be mostly taken up by the debate on the expert group report. People want us to debate the impact of the Social Welfare Bill, which the House passed last night, and how the family home tax is going to affect their incomes.

We have all heard the clattering coming from the Labour Party benches. The scenes we witnessed earlier were absolutely appalling. Government Deputies and Ministers had the generosity to burst into laughter - in fact they were doubled over in their seats - at a question relating to how people are going to be impacted upon by the family home tax.

Photo of Gerald NashGerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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Spare us.

Photo of Ray ButlerRay Butler (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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This is not "Walks along the Border with Peter Darragh Quinn".

(Interruptions).

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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There are very-----

(Interruptions).

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Hold on a second, Deputies.

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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-----few families which are doubled over with laughter in their homes this morning.

Photo of Gerald NashGerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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Spare us.

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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They are reeling from the fact that the Social Welfare Bill has been passed by this House and that the Government plans to ram through, with little or no debate, a family home tax which is going to impose a further burden on them.

Photo of Derek KeatingDerek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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What about Sinn Féin's twisted policies?

Photo of Ray ButlerRay Butler (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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I wonder how people in the North feel.

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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We have heard about Deputies wrestling with their consciences in respect of the cuts to child benefit and the respite care grant. The families to which I refer are going to be expected to pay the family home tax.

Photo of Derek KeatingDerek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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What about the families Sinn Féin persecuted for 30 years?

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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What is happening is absolutely appalling. There should be a sitting on Monday and we should take the opportunity it offers to debate the family home tax. In addition, there should be an Order of Business, Leaders' Questions, a Topical Issue Debate and Question Time. That is the form a proper sitting should take. What we will probably get is another glib response from the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, that will be designed to have Government's backbenchers bursting out laughing again and forgetting what real people are being obliged to endure.

Photo of Ray ButlerRay Butler (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Pearse Doherty should not get angry.

Photo of Joan CollinsJoan Collins (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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I also wish to object to the ordering of business for Monday. I am of the view that we should debate the property tax during Monday's sitting. As Deputy Martin indicated, the Thornhill report was only published in recent days. Voluntary organisations have stated that they are being impacted upon by what is taking place and the Thornhill report states that these organisations should be excluded from the so-called property tax, which is a family home tax. The legislation should be debated in much greater detail. The Government is not allocating sufficient time in respect of it. Some 1.9 million families and households will be affected by the tax. It is the Government's responsibility to give the House adequate time to debate the Bill properly.

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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In all my time in this House, I have never heard those in opposition object to leaving a gap between the end of the debate on Second Stage of a Bill and the beginning of Committee Stage in order that Deputies might have time to table amendments.

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Come off it.

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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As regards the request that we should meet on Monday-----

Photo of Billy KelleherBilly Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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We should be taking Second Stage of the Bill on Monday as well.

(Interruptions).

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Will Deputies please allow the Minister to reply? I gave those objecting to the proposal adequate time in which to voice their concerns. The Minister should be allowed to reply, without interruption.

Photo of Timmy DooleyTimmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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If he replied to the points that were raised, there would be no problem.

Photo of Billy KelleherBilly Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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It will be a glib and trite reply.

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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As regards the request for a Monday sitting, the Government was happy to respond in that regard. It is also happy to put forward speakers for the debate on Monday.

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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The Government cancelled last Monday's sitting.

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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On the previous occasion on which Deputy Pearse Doherty sought a Monday sitting, there were no speakers put forward by the entire Opposition.

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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That is not true.

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Not one speaker was put forward.

Photo of Pat DeeringPat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Mattie McGrath was on hunger strike.

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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It is not true.

(Interruptions).

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister is only playing games.

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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If those in opposition want to remain in their constituencies on Monday next, we will still put forward speakers in the normal way.

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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The Government does not want-----

Photo of Timmy DooleyTimmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Those in government are afraid to go to their constituencies.

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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We are not afraid. Deputy Dooley should not worry about us. We do not hide.

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Minister is quite capable of answering for himself. He does not need any assistance. Deputies should settle down and allow him to reply in order that we might proceed with our business.

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Deputy Martin is not correct. The backdrop to the property tax was not the Honohan report. The backdrop to it was Fianna Fáil's surrender to the troika.

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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It was the Thornhill report.

Photo of Dara CallearyDara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Fine Gael-----

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Deputy Martin negotiated that surrender.

Photo of Pat DeeringPat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Martin should apologise.

(Interruptions).

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I must put the question.

Photo of Ray ButlerRay Butler (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Martin should apologise. He should say that he is sorry.

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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On a point of order-----

Photo of Ray ButlerRay Butler (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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It is Christmas. Deputy Martin should say that he is sorry.

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Will Deputy Micheál Martin please adhere to the rules of the House? This is becoming impossible.

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am raising a point of order. The Minister said-----

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy had his say. He is just being totally unreasonable.

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I just want to-----

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy is not allowed to respond.

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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This is outrageous. I am not responsible for what is happening this morning. The Government is driving all of this. What I am saying is that in the normal course amendments must be tabled before the Second Stage debate begins

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not a point of order. I must put the question. Deputy Martin should resume his seat.

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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We were informed that we had to submit amendments by Tuesday morning last.

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am putting the question.

Question put: "That the proposal for dealing with No. 4 be agreed to."

The Dáil divided: Tá, 66; Níl, 38.

Tellers: Tá, Deputies Paul Kehoe and John Lyons; Níl, Deputies Seán Ó Fearghaíl and Aengus Ó Snodaigh.

Question declared carried.