It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 8. Questions will be taken at 2.30 p.m. It is also proposed when the Dáil rises tonight, that it stand adjourned until Wednesday, 18th October.
Order of Business.
It appears as if a slight mistake has been made in item No. 3 because, as you are aware, the amendment to the motion proposed by the Taoiseach was moved by the Labour Party. That is the one that is being discussed. I discussed this matter with the Fine Gael Whip last night. I could not at the time get the Government Whip but I spoke to his deputy. I understood that arrangements were to be made to have the Labour Party speaker called before the Government speaker and the Fine Gael speaker would speak before him. I suppose the order has been put down this way because that is the way it is usually done and that is how it appears. I suggest—if it can be done— the matter should be put in order now and that the Deputy to speak before the Deputy replying for the Government should be a person from the Party who proposed the amendment.
The normal procedure is that the Leader of the Opposition, or somebody nominated by him, winds up the debate for the Opposition. The usual practice in recent years is for a Member of the Fine Gael Party to wind up before the concluding speech on behalf of the Government. If, however, the Leader of the Opposition wants to change——
I have no objection.
The Deputy has no objection. As that is all right by him, when we come to No. 3 we could change the order.
I am not trying to be awkward about this.
There is nobody trying to be awkward but we have followed the usual procedure. As the Leader of the Opposition has very graciously consented——
Would you correct yourself for a moment? You should not be talking about the Leader of the Opposition being the Leader of Fine Gael——
He is the Leader of the Opposition.
(Interruptions.)
This is Dáil Éireann and An Tánaiste should remember that. It is only a minor detail but he should remember that there is an amendment and an addendum. He should also remember that the Party who proposed the amendment should have the right to make the final speech before the Government speaker. For goodness sake, catch yourselves on.
I do not know what to say. When there is agreement about this, the Labour Party are objecting for some reason.
We are not.
Everybody is agreed, the Leader of the Opposition and the Government, that the Labour Party should wind up for the combined Opposition.
We are not winding up for the combined Opposition: we are winding up our own amendment.
(Interruptions.)
Fine Gael if they wish may wind up on their addendum. The Government and Fine Gael are both agreed about the way to handle this entry into EEC. We have an amendment down and we have the right to wind up on it. It is time you caught yourselves on.