Yes. If Limerick were to win a fifth all-Ireland, and if the manager of Limerick were not to be the directly elected mayor by the time that happens, it may be the case that the directly elected mayor might want to nominate-----

I have had an interest in Limerick all my life. I have never felt the need to hide that, but obviously I do like to see Limerick defeated when they play Clare in hurling matches. Above and beyond that, I am quite a supporter of Limerick. To go back to more serious points, why should the directly elected mayor, with all the powers he or she will have, not be able to nominate somebody for civic honours? More importantly, amendment No. 81 refers to when a greater additional expenditure was incurred than was envisaged …

I am heartened by the Minister of State's willingness to look at the civic honour reception issue. With regard to the príomh chomhairleoir, the Minister of State's position and my position are clear and we differ, so I do not think we are going to reach common ground on it. It is still unclear regarding additional expenditure incurred. Given that the mayor is the person introducing the budget, to all intents and purposes, it is his budget. I know the council ultimately passes the budget and it is its budget but whi…

I do not have anything to add.

I agree with Deputy Leddin. It is very important and not just to the town of Shannon but obviously to south-east Clare. A bus service has recently been put on between Killaloe and Ennis and I am interested to know exactly what the numbers are because many more people travel from Killaloe to Limerick daily and have done for a very long time. If we are talking about new rail links, there was once a railway station serving Killaloe and Ballina. There was a spur from Birdhill on the Ballina side. Maybe it is just a pip…

-----can read and write and figure out what their amendments are about and whether they are good or bad for constituents and whether they imperil the Government or not. This one does not and it could not possibly. In any event, if the Minister of State is going to look at it further, it is a good idea. I am certainly not looking to call votes on it, but sometimes the way we go about our business is frustrating.

I am not pressing it, as it is consequential on amendment No. 19, which fell.

On a point of order, it actually can because the amendment does not remove it. It still remains. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle can check. It is, "In page 75, line 10, to delete “74(1)(b),”.", and section 74(1)(b) still remains notwithstanding the amendment, so it does not actually remove it. Section 74(1)(b) remains in situ .

Yes. Amendment No. 79 was accepted-----

-----but that does not amend or change where section 74(1)(b) sits.

They are not.

I am saying they are most clearly not.

How can the Leas-Cheann Comhairle say that after the amendment that was made? I was not going to press them in any event but I think the House should follow proper procedure. On page 75, line 10-----

I am entitled to make a point of order.

Even if-----

I am asking to make a point of order now.

Regarding page 75, line 10, the effect of the Minister of State's amendment No. 79 was to remove some parts of the Schedule in the Local Government Act 2001 but all of the sections 11(5)(b) right down to section 220(1) remain in exactly the same place. I do not see how it changes that. I had not intended to press the amendments in any event but there is a great propensity for the Bills Office to rule stuff out of order or try to stifle debate. I think it is unhealthy in a democracy. That is the point I would make.

I will make a point of order. Standing Orders provide that, where there is a substantial amendment made on Committee or Report and Final Stage, the Ceann Comhairle or Cathaoirleach of the committee, as the case may be, may direct that a new explanatory memorandum be provided. In this instance, amendment No. 84, which the Minister moved, runs to some seven pages. There are more than 60 provisions of primary legislation and more than 60 pieces of secondary legislation contained in it, all of which refer to powers to …

I have not received any ruling or determination on the matter.

If he has, that is news to me. If the Leas-Cheann Comhairle says he has, I am willing to accept that. It may be an oversight on my part. I have not seen his ruling. He may well have sent it and I did not see it. If that is the case, I apologise.