Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Higgins for tabling the amendment on behalf of Senator Boyhan who texted me earlier to explain why he would not be present today.

The decision as to whether an amendment is in order is not made by me or the Department; it is made by the Office of the Cathaoirleach. We will debate whatever amendments we have been told are in order, as will the Senators, and we will not be in a position to debate those that we were told are not in order. We received the notification about what amendments are in order and not in order at the same time as Senators. Senator Higgins made point on the record, which is absolutely fine, but it is important to note the decision is made not by me or my Department but through the relevant mechanisms.