By agreement, it is proposed to interrupt business at 4.30 p.m. today and to suspend Standing Orders under S.O. 139(1) to enable the Minister for Education and a spokesman from each of the parties in Opposition to make statements not exceeding 20 minutes in each case on the situation in relation to school bus charges; to enable statements not exceeding ten minutes each to be made by a Minister of State and another member of each party in Opposition; to allow not less than 15 minutes in total for statements from the Independents; and, to enable the Minister and a spokesman from each party in Opposition to make a reply not exceeding 15 minutes in each case. The concluding speaker for The Worker's Party is to be called on not later than 6.15 p.m.; for Fianna Fáil not later than 6.30 p.m.; and, for the Government not later than 6.45 p.m. The Order of Business as announced this morning will be resumed thereafter.
Allocation of Time: Motion.
I wish to thank the Government Whip for having worked out this arrangement. It was desirable, in the interest of clarification, that the matter be debated today.
We, too, are glad of the opportunity to clarify the matter.