Dáil Éireann debate -
Friday, 19 Dec 1986

Vol. 370 No. 16

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take item No. 20 on today's Order Paper and Nos. 10a and 2a on today's Supplementary Order Paper. By agreement, the proceedings on item No. 20 shall be interrupted at 1 p.m. to take Nos. 10a and 2a on today's Supplementary Order Paper. Also by agreement, item No. 10a shall be taken without debate. Also by agreement the proceedings on item No. 2a on today's Supplementary Order Paper shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 2 p.m. 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 Finance.

I should like to thank the Leader of the Opposition for his co-operation in making these particular arrangements which are urgently required for the reasons which are widely known.

An Ceann Comhairle

Are the arrangements for taking today's business agreed?

Tomás Mac Giolla

No, a Cheann Comhairle. It comes as a great surprise to us that a fundamental change is to be made to the 1967 Income Tax Act and rushed through in an hour. It seems to me that there are important issues to be debated in relation to this. I see no reason why more time cannot be given to do so. On the basis of a one hour debate it is unlikely that many Deputies will get in to express their views. I would oppose the Order of Business on that basis. We were not consulted about this in any way. It is too important an issue to so many people to have it rushed through in one hour.

The Taoiseach

The Deputy wants to keep the tax avoidance hole?

An Ceann Comhairle

I take it it is agreed that item No. 20 will be taken. It is also agreed that the proceedings on item No. 20 shall be interrupted at 1 p.m. today to take items Nos. 10a and 2a on today's Supplementary Order Paper? I take it that is agreed.

I am putting this question that does not appear to be agreed: "That the proceedings on item No. 2a. on today's Supplementary Order Paper shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 2 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 Finance".

Tomás Mac Giolla

Vótáil.

An Ceann Comhairle

Will those who are demanding a Division please rise?

Deputies Tomás Mac Giolla and Proinsias De Rossa rose.

Question put and declared carried.

An Ceann Comhairle

In accordance with Standing Orders the names of those dissenting will be entered in the Journal of the Proceedings of the Dáil.