It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 6 (resumed), 4, 7 (resumed), and 5. Private Members' Business will be taken from 7 p.m. to 8.30, No. 13.
Order of Business.
Would the Taoiseach agree to give Government time this week in order to discuss No. 35 on the Order Paper?
Deputy Cluskey was kind enough to give me advance notice of this request. I suggest to him that under the procedure for priority for Private Members' motions it would be possible for him, if he can arrange with the other Opposition Party, to have the motion taken this day week.
Would it be possible to get the agreement of the House to take the subject matter of No. 35 tonight instead of No. 13?
Yes.
I think that is unreasonable in that due notice was given in respect of No. 13. The Minister responsible has been alerted and has prepared his contribution. I think the question is not of such an urgency as would warrant such a change being made at this stage.
I am not sure about the timetable of the Taoiseach as to when precisely he intends to proceed with the appointment by the House of the Members of the European Parliament. I have a difficulty in that I have received an invitation from the President of the European Parliament to attend the session next week and that would create some problems for me. I cannot understand the Taoiseach's reluctance to agree to No. 35 being taken tonight. The motion agreed on, No. 13, is a Labour Party motion. The Leader of Fine Gael has indicated that they would be agreeable to No. 35 being substituted for it. In view of what we regard as the seriousness of the proposal regarding representation made by the Taoiseach I cannot understand how he can justify refusing to substitute No. 35 for No. 13.
In view of the difficulty which the Leader of the Labour Party has in respect of next week, I would suggest that this suggestion be considered through the usual channels.
I did not know until now, when Deputy Cluskey mentioned it, that he had received an invitation to attend the European Parliament and in that event I realise there would be a difficulty for him if the motion were taken next week. I am prepared to adopt the suggestion of the Leader of the main Opposition Party that we let the Whips have a look at it between now and one hour's time. We can then indicate to the Deputy what the position is.
Thank you.