Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am entitled to come back but I would like not to have a politics in which we simply say, "You're saying this, this is what you're saying, this is what you're saying, this is what you're like." That is the politics we are hearing and it is not constructive.

The Minister of State made some valid points in relation to Schedules D and E which Senators acknowledged and engaged with. Then the Minister of State came back again to contribute completely inaccurate perspectives in respect of the taxation of other unemployment payments and to suggest that anyone who says the Government could take action is suggesting Executive power by the Government with no recourse to the Parliament. I ask the Minister of State if, by his own logic, every single time any Member of this House or any Minister refers to "the Government" in future, they should refer to "the Government with the permission of the Oireachtas, having followed due process". That is what they will have to say.

As the Cathaoirleach acknowledged, Report Stage is coming and the Minister of State's hands are not tied. The Government can bring forward recommendations which would likely be ruled out of order if they were proposed by the Opposition, as my recommendations to address these issues were ruled. The Government can bring forward recommendations which would ensure what we all want, namely, that PAYE benefits and so forth under Schedule E would continue to be allowed in respect of taxation on payments since 5 August, but not including March to August. The period from March to August is at the nub of the issue raised and, with respect, the Government has the power, in bringing this Bill through the Oireachtas, to introduce a Report Stage recommendation to address the issue. The only question is why the Minister of State is not choosing to table such a recommendation to exclude the months from March to August in respect of the measures of the Bill. The power sits with the Government to propose it. We can only make recommendations as Opposition Members of the House during debates on the Finance Bill. The power lies with the Government to bring forward those proposals and I imagine they would get the permission of this House.