Dáil Éireann debate -
Friday, 24 Jun 1988

Vol. 382 No. 8

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take Nos. 9 and 18 (Votes 36 and Votes 1, 2, 7 to 19 inclusive and 46). It is also proposed that No. 9 be taken without debate. It is further proposed that the debate on Vote 36 shall not exceed two and a half hours provided that the proceedings thereon shall be brought to a conclusion, if not previously concluded, at 1 p.m. by one Question which shall be put from the Chair.

It is further proposed that the Supplementary Estimate shall be taken with Votes 1, 2, 7 to 19 inclusive and 46 for the purposes of debate and the debate shall not exceed three and a half hours provided that the proceedings thereon shall be brought to a conclusion, if not previously concluded, at 4.30 p.m. by one Question which shall be put from the Chair and the following arrangements shall apply to both debates on Estimates today: (1) The opening speech of the Ministers moving the Votes shall not exceed 20 minutes; (2) The speech of any other Member shall not exceed 15 minutes; (3) The Ministers moving the Votes shall be called on to conclude not later than ten minutes before the stated times.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Is the proposal regarding Item No. 9 agreed to? Agreed. Are the proposals regarding Vote 36 and Votes 1, 2, 7 to 19, inclusive, and 46 agreed to? Agreed.

Mr. McCartan

On the Order of Business, could I first express appreciation to the Government Whip and other Whips for the allocation of time next week for a brief discussion on the question of Nelson Mandela.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

That is not on today's Order of Business.

Mr. McCartan

No, it is not related to today's Order of Business. It is on the Order of Business generally.

An Leas-Ceann Comhairle

Please be relevant to today's Order of Business, Deputy.

Mr. McCartan

In respect of the Order of Business generally, would the Government be disposed to making time available in the coming week to discuss the intention of——

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I am sorry, that is not on today's Order of Business.

Mr. McCartan

I appreciate that.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Then, if you appreciate it, you appreciate that you are not in order. We must get on with the business as ordered.

Mr. McCartan

I had understood that it was, or is, in order, consequent on the taking of the day's Order of Business, for a Member to raise issues relating to the Order of Business generally in the coming days and weeks in the House.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

That is an interpretation that might suit the Deputy, but it is not in accordance with Standing Orders as I know them.

Mr. McCartan

It is in accordance with the daily conduct of business here.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Deputy McCartan will appreciate that whoever is in the Chair interprets the Order of Business and the generality of the business in accordance with Standing Orders. There is not any provision in Standing Orders for asking questions regarding next week's Order of Business.

Mr. McDowell

We notice the difference.

Mr. Keating

Deputy McCartan is snookered.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The learned legal man in front of Deputy McCartan would appreciate that.

Mr. McCartan

I do not know whether there is any advice coming from below in the matter.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

In this regard I do not need any advice. Deputy McCartan, on the Order of Business you are entitled to ask a question regarding legislation promised and so forth——

Mr. McCartan

Yes.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

——but you are not entitled to drift into next week's Order of Business. You would understand that yourself without my having to remind you.

Mr. McCartan

In regard to today's Order of Business, will time be found by the Government Whip for discussion on the proposal of RTE to privatise Cablelink and hand over the interest to Dr. Tony O'Reilly, whose control of public——

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Would you please resume your seat? That is not on today's Order of Business. We move on now to item No. 9 on the Order Paper.