Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I move:

“It is proposed that, notwithstanding anything in the Resolution of the Dáil of 20th September, 2022— (1) in respect of the Motions for Financial Resolutions by the Minister for Finance, the following arrangements shall apply:

(a)the motions shall, in accordance with the following schedule, be moved and grouped together for the purposes of debate, and if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at the end of the indicated time:

- Resolutions Nos. 1 and 2 – 40 minutes;

- Resolution No. 3 – 15 minutes;

- Resolution No. 4 – 20 minutes; and

- Resolution No. 5 – 15 minutes; and

(b)at the conclusion of the allocated time, the proceedings shall be brought to a conclusion by one question in respect of each motion which shall also dispose of any amendments to the motion and which shall be put from the Chair;

(2)immediately following the adjournment of the General Financial Resolution, a Motion relating to the National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Act 2019 shall be taken, to which the following arrangements shall apply:

(a) proceedings on the motion and on any amendments thereto shall be brought to a conclusion after 15 minutes, with 1 minute for the Minister’s opening speech, and 2 minutes each for Sinn Féin, the Labour Party, Social Democrats, PBP-Solidarity, the Regional Group, the Rural Independent Group, and the Independent Group, who shall be called upon in that Order; and

(b) any division demanded on the motion or on any amendment thereto shall be taken immediately, following which the Dáil shall adjourn forthwith; and

(3)the rota pursuant to the report of the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform dated 8th December, 2021, for Parliamentary Questions nominated for priority pursuant to Standing Order 49 shall recommence on Tuesday 4th October, 2022, on Session 7.”

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Is the motion agreed?

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is not agreed. I will not call a vote but I want it noted that the final item is disposing of €5 billion. It is a big decision to put it into the rainy day fund rather than, for example, spend it on housing or other things. We should have a full debate and a hell of a lot more than two minutes each. I wish to object to that fact. I will not call a full vote but I do not agree to it in principle.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Similar to Deputy Boyd Barrett, we support the principle of allocating funding to this fund but we do not have exact information in terms of the amounts. There is a bit of confusion in that regard. There is also doubt about whether the motion had to be taken. We are confused as to why the motion had to be taken tonight. The amount of time is very limited. I wish to express our real concern about that. We do not propose to call a vote and delay the debate that needs to take place on the resolutions, but we want it noted on the record that we have real concerns about how this is being handled tonight.

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We, in the Labour Party, also have concerns around the final motion on the National Surplus (Exceptional Contingencies) Reserve Fund. Indeed, we wrote to the Ceann Comhairle this evening to express our objections to the proposal to consider this motion this evening without notice and without an opportunity for debate. We have also submitted an amendment to require adequate notice and adequate time to debate the matter given the quantity of money that is proposed to be placed into the fund and also given that it is not a financial resolution.

This motion, therefore, does not need to be bundled together with the financial resolutions and does not need taken today at all. We set out very clearly and in some detail in our letter to the Ceann Comhairle why this does not need to be taken this evening and to express concern. We need to hear more. Very little was said by the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, about this issue earlier today. There is a huge amount of money to be put into the fund. We need to know a little more about this.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Did Deputy Mattie McGrath wish to come in?

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

I, too, am quite dismayed by this. I made the point known at the Business Committee today that we in the Rural Independent Group do not support this. It is a massive amount of money. I do not disagree with the concept; I am all for it. Surely, however, it merits more debate than two minutes per group. Why is it being done on budget night when it is not part of the financial resolution package? I know it is a financial resolution and a pretty substantial one, but it is typical of the way this Government behaves. We did not even have a business meeting; we were only consulted by telephone. We are totally opposed to this. It is the right decision but we want to ensure a proper debate on the amount and maybe get some answers as we go forward. We are opposed to it.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I understand the points made by Opposition Deputies, including the technical point about whether it counts as a financial resolution. However, I think they would also understand and agree that the world is full of uncertainty around economic developments and so on. It is important for us to give clarity and strength of purpose to-----

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

Democracy.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

-----putting the funds into the reserve fund. It is appropriate for us to debate that tonight.

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

On a point of order, it is unprecedented to have a non-financial resolution presented in the debate. We had much debate about establishing the fund. It is a huge chunk of public money and it is quite wrong that the Government wants to give a signal. It has to have the democratic authority to do that.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. We are moving on.

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

I ask that it be deferred until tomorrow at least.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have given a lenient interpretation of the point of order. I have allowed a leader and spokesperson from each party to speak. I take it the motion is not agreed.

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

It is not agreed.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I understood from some of the comments it was not agreed but that a vote was not being called. Is that correct?

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is only because we will lose time later; it is Hobson's choice.

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

It is the same here; it is not agreed.

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

On a point of order-----

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It was not clear that it was a point of order. We are not going to repeat it.

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

The point of order is that it is unprecedented that a non-financial resolution be taken. Is the Chair happy to take non-financial resolutions on the nod?

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

On budget night.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am sorry but on the question of it being unprecedented, I do not believe that is accurate. I am instructed that something similar happened in 2020 when the national reserve fund motion was taken on the night. I cannot remember-----

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

It is becoming a habit.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

-----but that is what I am told.

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

On a point of order, it is becoming a habit.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I ask for Deputy McGrath's co-operation here. Each group has come in and registered its disagreement in relation to this. Are we moving on?

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I will call for a voice vote.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is calling a vote. Is the motion agreed?