It is proposed to take Nos. 11, 2, 9, 12, 13, 14 and 3. By agreement, the Dáil shall sit later than 5.30 p.m. today and not later than 6.30 p.m. and business shall be interrupted at 6 p.m. today. Also by agreement, the Dáil shall meet at 10.30 a.m. tomorrow and shall adjourn not later than 4 p.m. tomorrow. Also by agreement, Nos. 11, 2, 9, 12 and 13 shall be taken without debate. Also by agreement, the following arrangements shall apply for the debate on No. 14: (1) The speech of the Taoiseach and the Leader of the main Opposition party shall not exceed one hour. That should have read "the speech of the Tánaiste and the Leader of the main Opposition Party shall not exceed one hour."
Order of Business.
(Interruptions.)
There is only one voice over there.
I will now continue. (2) The speech of any other Member shall not exceed 30 minutes; (3) The Taoiseach shall be called upon to conclude the debate at 3.15 p.m. tomorrow; (4) The proceedings for the motion on the Adjournment for the Christmas recess shall be brought to a conclusion at 4 p.m. tomorrow. Also by agreement, the proceedings on No. 14 shall be interrupted at 5 p.m. today to take No. 3 and the order shall not be resumed thereafter. Also by agreement, the proceedings on all Stages of No. 3 shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 6 p.m. today by one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only amendments set down by the Minister for Justice.
Do you wish to substitute "Tánaiste" for "Taoiseach"?
Yes.
On a point of order in regard to the Order of Business, I am not objecting to any of the arrangements but I should like to ask if the Order is inherently contradictory because, as it is now amended, it says that the speech of the Tánaiste and the Leader of the main Opposition party shall not exceed one hour and the speech of any other Member shall not exceed 30 minutes. That seems to include the Taoiseach although we are giving him three-quarters of an hour under (3).
It refers to the speech of any other Member except the Taoiseach.
We would not want the decision to be struck down by the Supreme Court.
Is it agreed that the Dáil will sit until 6 p.m. today and that it shall sit from 10.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow? Agreed. Is it agreed that the Dáil shall sit from 10.30 a.m. until 4 p.m. tomorrow? Agreed. Are the arrangements for taking today's business agreed?
On the Order of Business, could I inquire why No. 2 is being taken without debate? In the order we were given for this week one hour was allocated to it and I would have thought it was a Bill which needed debate.
The Whips met and agreed to the Order of Business.
——subject to the agreement of the House.
Some of the Whips might have met——
We had that before.
We were told by the Government that an hour was allocated to it but we come in here next morning and hear all these things have been done by agreement. This is not very satisfactory.
I understood I had got the agreement of the House. Are the arrangements as read out by the Taoiseach agreed to? I will go through them again. Is it agreed that the House shall sit until 6 p.m. today? Agreed. Is it agreed that the House shall sit from 10.30 a.m. until 4 p.m. tomorrow? Agreed. Is it agreed that items Nos. 11, 2, 9, 12 and 13 shall be taken without debate?
I have no option but to agree.
Agreed. Are the arrangements for the speeches on the Adjournment Debate agreed? Agreed.
Is it agreed that business shall be interrupted today at 5 p.m. to take item No. 14? Agreed. Is it agreed that all Stages of item No. 3 shall be concluded by one question at 6 p.m. today? Agreed.
I want to make it clear that in agreeing to this very complicated Order of Business, which is something unusual, we in the Opposition are facilitating the Government in doing some very necessary and urgent business. In accordance with the highest tradition of the Fianna Fáil Party in office or in opposition, we are giving the Government full co-operation when it is necessary in the public interest.
Long may Fianna Fáil continue to do so.
We acknowledge the co-operation of the Opposition in making these arrangements. We have endeavoured to get together to deal with the business of the House in recent weeks and months.
May I ask the Minister for the Environment if, in view of the ruling of the court yesterday on the invalidity of water rates——
That does not arise.
This is very important because local authorities are preparing their Estimates and there will be confusion over this.
That does not arise.
Will he make a statement to clarify the situation——
Please resume your seat.
We are all in trouble because——
You are in right trouble.
(Interruptions.)
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of Question No. 150 on yesterday's Order Paper.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the Supreme Court decision of last Thursday involving a compensation claim concerning lands in Killiney and the possible implications for the Dún Laoghaire ratepayers.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
May I raise on the Adjournment the urgent need for the Minister for Communications to make an early decision on the application made by Ryanair to operate flights between Cork and London?
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Why do the Government Deputies not hold a party meeting?