Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Dec 1980

Vol. 325 No. 5

Allocation of Time: Motion.

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Mr. Moore)

I move:

That the Supplementary Estimate for Social Welfare for £49,350,000 for the year ending on the 31st day of December 1980 shall be taken at 5 p.m. to-day and that the proceedings thereon, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 7 p.m. by putting from the Chair the Question necessary to bring them to a conclusion; and that notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders the following arrangements shall apply in the debate on the Supplementary Estimate:—

(a) the speech of the member of the Government opening the debate and the speeches of the first speaker for Fine Gael and the first speaker for the Labour Party shall not exceed 20 minutes each;

(b) the speech of each other Member called on (other than the member of the Government or Minister of State replying to the debate) shall not exceed 10 minutes; and

(c) the member of the Government or Minister of State replying to the debate shall be called on not later than 6.45 p.m.

Question put and agreed to.

An Ceann Comhairle

Item No. 5.

Dr. FitzGerald

On a point of order, it has always been the procedure, as I understand it, that queries as to when legislation will be taken are asked and answered on the Order of Business. You seem to be ruling against this although it has been the practice in the House, as far as I know, from its inception. I wonder if you could clarify the position on this and let me know exactly what is the position you are taking up on this?

An Ceann Comhairle

The questions asked that I ruled out of order were those on White Papers and so on. Item No. 5.

Dr. FitzGerald

Questions asking when legislation will be introduced, when White Papers will be published and when other Government action will take place are a normal routine feature of the Order of Business.

An Ceann Comhairle

I would not accept that, Deputy. I have already explained that matters which are on the Order of Business for the day, matters which are on the Order Paper or business which has been promised can be raised. But White Papers are a different matter and could very easily be put down in the form of Parliamentary Questions.

Mr. E. Collins

On a point of order——

An Ceann Comhairle

We could have points of order raised all day.

Mr. E. Collins

Why then has it been the practice to answer such queries before and why are you now changing that practice?

An Ceann Comhairle

I am not changing any practice.

Mr. E. Collins

You are.

An Ceann Comhairle

Would the Minister of State please move item No. 5.

Dr. FitzGerald

I am glad you have clarified that, A Cheann Comhairle, because you seemed to be ruling that it was improper to ask questions about legislation earlier on. I am glad you have clarified that.

An Ceann Comhairle

Legislation which had been promised.