Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I second the amendment. My party and I completely and utterly disagree with the ruling of the Chair in respect of amendment No. 3 and related amendments tabled by Independent Senators and Sinn Féin.

I have been told that we cannot seek to delete the Government's proposal to cut ¤26 million from the respite care grant. We are being told we cannot discuss it because it is a potential charge on the State. That is not correct. The State is proposing to make this saving but it has not come to pass. It was voted on yesterday,. It was supposed to come back on Report Stage. It is not a potential charge on the State. I fundamentally disagree with the ruling and I put the House on notice that my party and I will seek independent legal advice on the ruling on this amendment.

I do not wish to cast aspersions on an individual, but I completely and fundamentally disagree with the ruling because it is not a potential charge on the State.