Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

We find ourselves in a situation where a series of excellent amendments tabled by Senator Gerard P. Craughwell which I had intended to support have been ruled out of order. We do not have a chance to discuss them because of the overly broad interpretation of the rule that amendments which involve a potential cost on the Exchequer cannot be considered by the Seanad. I know that the Seanad has a different role from that of the Dáil, but in at least one case the amendment tabled by the Senator who will speak more eloquently to this matter could not be interpreted as necessarily involving a potential cost on the Exchequer because it would remain for the Executive to make a decision on whether it should take a particular step that might or might not involve a cost. As elected representatives, we find ourselves unable to carry out one of our functions to help a proper consideration of legislation.There are issues of fairness in regard to people's pensions, people in different unions being pitted against each other and the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest, FEMPI, legislation being used as a weapon. We are not in a position to contribute properly to the discussion of these issues because of a simple administrative ruling out of order of this amendment. Sleight of hand is what I would call it.