Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On a point of order, the Appropriation Bill goes through this House on the nod every year. While I said yesterday in this House that the Seanad cannot write cheques, this is effectively a cheque for ¤50 billion. It is the one measure we cannot vote against because if we did all public services would have to close. This is crucial legislation, debate on which ceased almost 20 years ago. We should have a debate on this legislation, which all previous Governments put through on the nod. It is a pity that this continues.