LETTER TO CEANN COMHAIRLE REQUESTING THAT AMENDMENT BE ALLOWED TO SHORT NOTICE GOVERNMENT MOTION
Richard Boyd Barrett TD, Finance spokesperson for the People Before Profit Alliance has expressed outrage that opposition TD’s have been denied the right to submit amendments to the government’s Dáil motion on the so-called “exit from the EU-IMF programme.”
Deputy Boyd Barrett asked in the Dáil today whether amendments to the government’s motion on the programme “exit” and was informed that he could not, as “the deadline had passed.”
However, Deputy Boyd Barrett pointed that opposition TD’s were notified of any deadline for submitting amendments. He also pointed out that the government’s motion was only submitted at 16.57 yesterday, whereas standing orders (SO 30) required that it be submitted four days before being taken in the Dáil. Under the same standing order, TD’s are then allowed two days to put forward amendments.
Standing Order 30 gives the Ceann Comhairle discretion to accept motions and amendments at shorter notice but, whereas the government are being allowed to put in a motion at extremely short notice, the opposition have not been given the same latitude in submitting amendments to this late motion.
Deputy Boyd Barrett said: “The refusal to allow opposition TD’s time to amend this motion dealing with the most important issue facing the Irish people is further evidence of gross political manipulation by the government and a total abuse of Dáil procedure.”
“The government have pulled a stunt, aimed at forcing TD’s to either endorse their policy or be seen to oppose “exiting” the EU-IMF programme. The government knows full well that many people believe the key issue is the terms on which we leave the bail-out and not simply whether we are in or out of the formal programme. They know full well that many if not most believe that “exiting” the programme means nothing if we remain saddled with a vast and odious banking debt and EU monitoring and control of our budgetary policy.
This manipulation of Dáil procedure and debate around this vital issue of national importance, is typical of the contempt with which the government are treating the public and the Dail, but it is an utter disgrace that the opposition should be denied an opportunity to amend their utterly cynical motion.”
“I have written to the Ceann Comhairle urging him to re-consider his decision to deny opposition TD’s the right to amend a motion, while allowing the government to submit a motion on such an important issue so late.”