Alex White (Labour)

There seems to be a misunderstanding. I raise a point of order pursuant to Standing Order 40. With respect, there is a misunderstanding on the part of the Cathaoirleach because this is not a proposal for a Tobin tax, rather, it is a proposal that a report be prepared. There are seven other recommendations before the House, from my party and others, calling for reports to be prepared. In fact, we just agreed to a recommendation which calls for the preparation of a report. Recommendation No. 2 does not propose a Tobin tax, as much as I would like to do so. I propose a report be prepared by the Government into the feasibility or otherwise of having a Tobin tax. How is that a charge on Revenue when the other reports which we have called for are not? It is completely unclear. Standing Order 40 states "An amendment to a Bill, which could have the effect of imposing or increasing a charge upon the people or upon the revenue may not be moved, save by way of Government amendment". How has recommendation No. 2 been interpreted by the Cathaoirleach as a recommendation which could have the effect of imposing or increasing a charge when we are simply discussing the preparation of a report, in common with other recommendations which have not been ruled out of order?