Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 1 Jun 1988

Vol. 381 No. 5

Sound Broadcasting Bill, 1987: Allocation of Time.

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Mr. V. Brady)

It is proposed that, in the case of the Sound Broadcasting Bill, 1987, and notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders or the Order of the House made today, (i) the proceedings on the amendments set down to the Bill shall be brought to a conclusion in accordance with the following timetable; and where proceedings, in each case, have not concluded by the stated time, they shall be brought to a conclusion by one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, include only amendments set down by the Minister for Communications.

Amendments	To conclude not later than
—4, 8, 17, 59 (and amendments to amendment 59, 1-5)
—5, 6, 9 (and amendments to amendment 9, 1-7) 12, 13, 14, 20, 28, 29, 31, 33, 39, 40, 41, 44, 46, 47, and 48	5.30 p.m.
—10 (and amendments to amendment 10, 1-2) 11 and 15
—16 (and amendments to amendment 16, 1-8)
—18 (and amendments to amendment 18, 1-4)	7 p.m.
—19
—21 to 27, 30 (and amendment to amendment 30, 1) 32, 34 to 38, 51 (and amendment to amendment 51, 1)
—42, 43 and 45	11 p.m.
—49 (and amendments to amendment 49, 1-2)
—50 (and amendments to amendment 50, 1-4) 53 and 56
—7, 54 and 55
—52 (and amendment to amendment 52, 1)
—57	11.45 p.m.
—3
—1, 2 and 60

(ii) the proceedings on the Committee Stage of the Bill, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 12 midnight by one question, which shall be put from the Chair.

An Ceann Comhairle

Are those arrangements agreed?

Proinsias De Rossa

On the proposal for the allocation of time just read by the Minister of State, I should say that I received notice of this proposal about a quarter of an hour ago only, to set aside specific periods of time for the various amendments. I rise to voice my objection yet again to the way in which this House is being treated as a rubber stamp. There is a very important Bill before us. It is being attempted to squeeze all the amendments in before midnight. Now we are being faced with the proposition that, in the first slot alone, between 5 and 5.30 p.m. we shall have to deal with 40 amendments. Since we are dealing with the establishment of the independent commission, their functions and membership it is totally unsatisfactory. I contend a lot more time should have been allowed for the debate on this Bill. I wanted to record my objection.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I am sure the Deputy's comments and objections will have been noted. Is it proposed to proceed as indicated, that we take amendments Nos. 4, 8, 17 and 59, and amendments to amendment 59, Nos. 1 to 5, together? We shall proceed now to discuss them.