By agreement and notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, it is proposed that speakers should be called on in Private Members' time as follows: 7 p.m. to 7.25 p.m., Oppositon speaker; 7.25 p.m. to 7.30 p.m., Opposition speaker; 7.30 p.m. to 7.50 p.m., Government speaker; 7.50 p.m. to 8 p.m., Opposition speaker; 8 p.m. to 8.07 p.m., Government speaker; 8.07 p.m. to 8.12 p.m., Government speaker; 8.12 p.m. to 8.20 p.m., Opposition speaker; 8.20 p.m. to 8.30 p.m., Opposition speaker.
Private Members' Business.
Would the Minister please clarify what exactly is meant by "Opposition speaker."
Fianna Fáil speaker.
On the far side of the House.
A Cheann Comhairle ——
May I read for Opposition, Fianna Fáil?
Yes.
Is the proposal by the Minister of State agreed to?
It is not agreed if Deputy Brady's proposal is to be included, that all Opposition speakers are Fianna Fáil speakers. At least one of the slots for the Opposition should be given to me, as I have put down an amendment to the motion. I should, at least, be given some time to propose that amendment.
I also want to protest at my party not being allowed to make a contribution. It is most unfair to the Workers' Party and ourselves that we are not allowed to move amendments. I want to make a very strong protest.
There are about 70 of us who would like to speak.
I do not wish to waste any time in disagreement. We would be willing to allocate, say, from 8.12 p.m. to 8.15 p.m. to Deputy De Rossa.
Are Fianna Fáil not giving us one moment?
The Deputy's party have not put down an amendment.
I am putting the proposal as read out by the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, with the addendum that for Opposition speaker I am to read Fianna Fáil speaker and with a further addendum that three minutes between 8.12 p.m. and 8.15 p.m. are to be allotted to Deputy De Rossa.
May I mention that I have furnished the Ceann Comhairle with a list of speakers from the main Opposition side.
That is democracy in this country.
Open your hearts.
That is democracy as you know it.
Is the proposal agreed to?
Agreed.