I sincerely apologise to the Chair and Members of the House for being late. This is a difficult and extraordinary day and, as the Tánaiste said earlier, 11 minutes is not the end of the world in political life.
It is proposed to take No. 3a on the supplementary Order Paper. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that; 1. The sitting shall not be suspended at 1.30 p.m. today and shall be suspended at 5 p.m. today for one hour and at 1 p.m. tomorrow, Thursday, 17 November 1994, for one hour. 2. Questions for oral reply shall not be taken today or tomorrow, Thursday, 17 November 1994. 3. Business shall be interrupted at 8.30 p.m. tonight and the Dáil shall adjourn forthwith. 4. Matters raised under Standing Order 30 shall not be taken tomorrow. 5. The proceedings on No. 3a shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 5 p.m. tomorrow, Thursday, 17 November 1994, when the Dáil shall adjourn fortwith, and the following arrangements shall apply in relation to the debate: (i) the speech of the Taoiseach and of the Leader of the Fine Gael Party, of the Progressive Democrat Party, of the Democratic Left and of the Tánaiste shall not exceed 30 minutes; (ii) the speech of each other Member called upon shall not exceed 30 minutes in each case; (iii) Members may share time; and (iv) a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon not later than 4.30 p.m. tomorrow to make a speech in reply. 6. There will be no Private Members' Business this evening.