I move: That Revised Estimates for the Public Services for the year ending 31st December, 2024, be presented to the Dáil and circulated to members, pursuant to Standing Orders 95(1)( a ) and 215.

When I got the Deputy's amendment, it goes without saying that I took it seriously. First, I treat seriously any amendment to legislation from a Member of the Oireachtas. Second, when this issue about how the Bill had been described came in, it not only caused raised eyebrows; it also raised a question with me to go and verify the correct terminology. My officials went away and checked this. I actually checked it again this afternoon to make sure that we had the terminology correct. It will not come as a surprise t…

We certainly are not.

Of course.

Absolutely.

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. This is an issue that has come up on a number of occasions when I have brought the Appropriation Bill before the House. I should say to Deputy Ó Snodaigh that when I brought my own Estimates before the relevant Oireachtas select committee, it did contain within it the Estimate we are now discussing. It was potentially available for discussion and engagement on Committee Stage and is presented-----

-----as part of the Estimate. It is listed as a Vote under my Department, as opposed to the other Departments the Deputy has just listed, because it is possible that a number of other Departments could make a request to use that fund during the year. There has been a long-standing tradition, as the Deputy has just said, that we never comment on its use. It is the only money on which the Dáil makes a decision in respect of which we ask the Oireachtas not to inquire into the detail. This is because it pertains to iss…

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to introduce this Bill to the House. It is a critical piece of annual financial legislation that needs to be enacted before the end of the year. The Bill has two primary functions. The first is to provide the legal authorisation for all of the expenditure that has occurred in 2023 on the basis of the Estimates voted on by the Dáil over the course of the year. These are set out in section 1 and Schedule 1. They refer to the Revised Estimates, further Re…

I move the following Supplementary Estimate: Vote 26 - Education (Supplementary Estimate) That a supplementary sum not exceeding €795,154,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2023, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for Education, for certain services administered by that Office, and for the payments of certain grants.

I articulate my support for the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and for this motion as a Government colleague and as a TD for Dublin Central. Before I outline the reasons for my support for the Minister, I want to address what was a disgraceful and at times disturbing speech by the Leader of the Opposition. In her speech, she alleged that it was up to two weeks before Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire heard from Government representatives. Not only is that wrong, the Deputy also knows it is wrong. She knows it is wrong and yet …

You are in the wrong party then.

No.

I move: That leave be given by the Dáil to introduce the following Supplementary Estimates for the service of the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2023: Vote 2 — Department of the Taoiseach ( Supplementary Estimate ). Vote 9 — Office of the Revenue Commissioners ( Supplementary Estimate ). Vote 11 — Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform ( Supplementary Estimate ). Vote 12 — Superannuation and Retired Allowances ( Supplementary Estimate ). Vote 13 — Office of Public Works ( Supple…

I move the following Supplementary Estimate: Vote 29 — Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary Estimate). That a supplementary sum not exceeding €938,606,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2023, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, including certain services administered by that Office, and for payment of certain grants.

No, he is not.

The Good Friday Agreement matters.

Unbelievable.

I move: That leave be given by the Dáil to introduce the following Supplementary Estimates for the service of the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2023: Vote 5 — Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions ( Supplementary Estimate ). Vote 7 — Office of the Minister for Finance ( Supplementary Estimate ). Vote 29 — Environment, Climate and Communications ( Supplementary Estimate ). Vote 42 — Rural and Community Development ( Supplementary Estimate ).

I move: That section 664 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (No. 39 of 1997), which provides for income tax relief for certain income from leasing of farm land, be amended in the manner and to the extent specified in the Act giving effect to this Resolution.

I thank the Deputy for her question. The summer economic statement and the mid-year expenditure report published in July outlined an estimated amount of €2.3 billion in respect of the additional costs arising in 2024 to deliver ELS. This amount equated to approximately 3% of the core current expenditure base. This provision took into account the additional amount required for ELS in previous budgets. In recent years, the overall provision in this regard has been in the region of 3% of the expenditure base. Setting …