Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Byrne for his engagement on the Bill. Obviously I disagree fundamentally with the way he has set out the position, but I do not intend to get caught up in a debate on other legislation that is before the House and will be coming back before the House later this afternoon. I think it is extremely important that we pass the Appropriation Bill 2014 to ensure that on 1 and 2 January jobseekers get paid and those in receipt of disability allowance and those depending on the non-contributory State pension also get paid. Nurses, gardaí and teachers must also be paid. Suppliers and SMEs right around the country are dependent on being paid by the Government.

Members of this House and the other House have the luxury of being paid from the Central Fund, but those whom I have mentioned do not. It is essential that we pass the Appropriation Bill, as the Senator quite rightly said, it has often been passed without debate. I am pleased to have had an opportunity to debate it in the Dáil and Seanad.

I recommend its passage together with the earlier signature motion to Seanad Éireann.