On Wednesday last, the following remarks were made by Deputies in regard to rulings of the Chair on amendments tabled for the Committee Stage of the Local Government (Superannuation) Bill, 1955:—
"...We bow to the ruling of the Chair. We accept majority rule, where it comes through the individual holding the high office of Ceann Comhairle. But even at this stage we have every reason to say that we are totally dissatisfied with some of the decisions..."—[Deputy Desmond, column 718.]
"... But it is the ones which have been overlooked, the glaring injustices which have not been covered by this Bill that we are worried about, the glaring injustices which have remained there because of the fact that you, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle and the Ceann Comhairle, ruled out of order amendments which would have brought about the desired effect ..."—[Deputy James Tully, columns 720-1.]
"...It was rather discouraging that some of our main amendments were ruled out on a technicality, and if I may suggest, in one or two particular cases, a rather far-fetched technicality..."—[Deputy Casey, column 723.]
As these statements might give rise to the opinion that the Chair has a discretion in such cases, I desire to make the position of the Chair in the matter quite clear. Each of the amendments in question would have the effect of imposing a charge on State funds by increasing the amount of Exchequer re-coupment to be paid to local authorities. Such being the case, I had no option but to regard them as out of order under the provisions of Standing Order No. 115, and each Deputy concerned was so informed by letter.