Finance Bill debate to advance as final act of 30th Dáil

The debate on the Finance Bill will resume this morning, after the Bill passed the committee stage in the Dáil last night.

The report and final stage of the bill will be discussed today, before it goes to the Seanad for consideration on Friday and Saturday.

The Finance Bill narrowly passed through its first stage in the Dáil yesterday after the Government secured the votes of Independent TDs Michael Lowry and Jackie Healy Rae at the 11th hour.

After making a number of concessions on the Bill - such as a tax on bankers bonuses and revised tax relief for parents paying student fees - the Bill scraped through by 80 votes in favour to 77 against. Independent TD Mattie McGrath abstained.

The passing of the bill will be the final act of the 30th Dáil. It is expected the Dáil will be dissolved next week and a General Election called.