On a point of order, in relation to the rotation of speakers, can we take it that during the discussion on the next motion we will have speaker for speaker, the Government as against the Opposition? It is unfair to give the smaller Parties complete monopoly of speakers in the discussion of Private Members' Business. Would you consider giving one for one? The Labour Party have 15 or 16 Members and have had more say in this than we have.
Private Members' Business. - Business of Dáil.
On an intelligence quota you would not be entitled to one at all.
That is not a point of order but so far as speakers are concerned the Chair will call them in the usual way that has obtained here for years.
Does that mean that there is going to be another attempt made to deprive me of contributing to this debate, the same as the last time?
The Minister had not got the guts to come in when he got the chance.
If so, I would point out that there is no Standing Order requiring a Member of the Government to be present and I feel that I could be more usefully employed elsewhere.
Usually, when a Minister offers he is called by the Chair.
I was not called the last time and there was a concerted effort by the Fine Gael Party and the Labour Party to deprive me of the right of indicating whether or not as a responsible Government Minister I accepted the arguments that had been put forward and I want to know if that is going to be the position again because if it is there is no point in my being here and I can go away and employ myself more usefully than listening to this kind of nonsense.
Does your ruling a minute ago mean that if the Minister deliberately allows in one of his own backbenchers to talk nonsense for an hour the Minister can get in immediately afterwards and do the same thing?
That is not the position. I maintain that there is an equal right for the Deputies on this side of the House to speak as for the combined Opposition and they showed themselves to be combined.
The procedure is one from each Party in turn.
That is a procedure that is not acceptable to us and if I am not going to be allowed to contribute, then I do not propose to stay in the House.
Nobody is asking the Minister to stay.
I will withdraw so.
The practice has been that, when a Minister offers, he is called by the Chair.
A Cheann Comhairle——
We cannot have a discussion.
——how can the system be changed? There must be some means of changing the system. Could we know that?
Let the Deputy consult his Whip.
Sir, has the debate commenced on the motion?
This has nothing to do with the motion. I am calling on Deputy Ryan.
May I take it this debate is now beginning at 9½ minutes to seven and, because of the time that has been wasted, there will have to be some time by way of compensation?
A Cheann Comhairle, can you tell me how the system can be changed?
Deputies
Chair!
We cannot discuss this matter now.
But how can it be changed?
I have already pointed out that, if the House wishes to change the practice which has operated here for years, then it should be discussed by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.
That is fair enough.
Deputies
Hear, hear.
Is it agreed, Sir, that we are commencing the debate now at nine minutes to seven?
It is agreed.