I move: "That the Second Stage be ordered for Tuesday, 23 June 1987", subject to agreement between the Whips.
Restrictive Practices (Confirmation of Order) Bill, 1987: Order for Second Stage.
Bill entitled an Act to confirm the Restrictive Practices (Groceries) Order, 1987.
I should like to raise a point of clarification. The Minister said that this matter was subject to agreement between the Whips. I wonder whether the Chair, or somebody, will clarify which Whips are in question.
The Whips.
That is not a matter for the Chair.
Surely it is a matter for the House to understand who the Minister is referring to when he refers to "the Whips". When a Minister, or the Chair, refers to "the Whips" surely they should refer to the Whips of the four parties who form groups in accordance with Standing Orders and not the Whips of two favoured parties who have got into collusion and are seeking to make a cosy arrangement between themselves to the exclusion of the Progressive Democrats and The Workers' Party. That is what is taking place.
I do not get involved with splinter groups of Fianna Fáil.
No smart remarks will overcome this.
Is the House agreeing to order Second Stage for next Tuesday?
It is not agreed. We will not agree to anything now.
(Interruptions.)
We are here by choice and Deputies opposite know that.
The Deputy never agreed to anything.
Question put and declared carried.