It is proposed to take Nos. 6, 10 and 11. It is also proposed that the Dáil shall sit later than 9 p.m. today and business shall be interrupted at 11 p.m. It is further proposed that the proceedings on No. 6, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 7 p.m. and the speech of each Member called on shall not exceed 20 minutes. It is further proposed that proceedings on No. 10 shall be adjourned not later than 10.30 p.m. to take No. 11, which shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 11 p.m., and the order shall not resume. Private Members' Business shall be No. 22.
Order of Business.
Is the proposal for a late sitting agreed?
Prior to agreeing the Order of Business, although I would wish to agree it, I would ask for your guidance in relation to this evening's proceedings, specifically in relation to Item No. 22. It appears there may well be a motion under Standing Order 102, although one has not received formal notice of this. Will there be an opportunity——
Will you raise that matter with me at the appropriate time, which is 7 p.m.?
It would be far better to clear that matter now rather than have confusion at 7 o'clock. I should like your guidance now rather than a row at 7 o'clock. What I am seeking is an assurance that there will be an opportunity for a speaker from the Labour Party, as well as from the other parties in the House, if this motion is proceeded with.
Here I might advise the House and the Deputy that the Chair will only permit an explanatory statement by Deputy Shatter and one by the Minister for Justice and will then put the question. That is the procedure laid down in the appropriate Standing Order and the speeches on the occasion must of necessity be brief. That is the procedure I propose to follow. I will not have a debate on the matter now.
You have just confirmed my worst fears that we will not have the opportunity of speaking about this matter at 7 o'clock.
I should like to let the House know that it is my intention to seek to speak on the motion at 7 o'clock.
The Chair has indicated his intentions in the matter.
I would ask the Chair to reconsider his intentions in the matter.
In reply to the Leader of the Labour Party and to Deputy Colley, you indicated that only two speakers will be allowed. Do you have discretion to extend the facility to representatives of other parties and, if so, in the light of the seriousness of this matter, will you consider exercising that discretion?
The Chair would have some discretion in the matter but due to the fact that the Bill in question has been debated at great length in this House and in Committee and can be further debated irrespective of the decision of this evening, the Chair takes the view that statements are quite adequate in the circumstances and has no intention of deviating from that.
I do not want to be disruptive. We are about to agree the Order of Business which includes Private Members' Business, which is the resumption of the Report Stage of the Judicial Separation and Family Law Reform Bill, 1987. We have no difficulty agreeing to that, but there is a prospect that a motion may be made at 7 o'clock. In fairness, if such a motion is laid before the House at 7 o'clock under Standing Order 102, then you should afford to parties in the House, other than the main Opposition party and the Government, an opportunity of addressing the motion.
The Chair has explained his position. The matter which the Deputy has raised, Item No. 22, does not come within the ambit of the Taoiseach's proposals and I am now putting those proposals formally.
I would ask that the Whips consider this matter before 7 o'clock. Given that all the parties must have an interest in this matter, we should be afforded an opportunity of explaining our position if a motion is put forward at 7 o'clock.
You said that there has been a great amount of debate on this Bill — and that is true — but the motion coming before the House is a different matter entirely and each party should have a chance to state their position on it.
I should like to point out for the benefit of other parties in the House, that in proceeding in the way I intend this evening, I am using a provision in Standing Orders — which is specifically provided for in Standing Orders — that at any stage before the Fifth Stage of a Bill is taken this procedure can be followed, without prejudice to anything else that might be decided this evening.
I note the Deputy's comment. Are the proposals for dealing with the late sitting agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 6 agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with Nos. 10 and 11 agreed? Agreed.
With regard to No. 9 on the Order Paper, it is usually a formality referring the accounts of the Comptroller and Auditor General to the Committee of Public Accounts. Since they will be laid before the House next Wednesday, will the Taoiseach say when it is proposed to move the motion on the Order Paper?
It will be discussed between the Whips and I will communicate with the Deputy.
As it is promised legislation, will the Taoiseach say when it is proposed to bring forward legislation extending the role of the Shannon Free Airport Development Company to the North Kerry constituency?
It is being drafted at the moment.
I asked the Taoiseach last week if he would allow Government time to debate financial difficulties in the VHI and he said he would consider the matter. It was since raised with the Whips and I should like to know the outcome of his consideration of the matter.
I have a feeling we will hear a lot more about the VHI before the year is out.
So have 1.
(Interruptions.)
Does the Minister for Agriculture and Food intend to introduce a Supplementary Estimate for Teagasc?
The Deputy should put down a question in regard to that subject.
I asked the Tánaiste a week or so ago about the possibility of the Government providing time for a debate on the report of the Committee of Public Accounts on the extension of the function of the Comptroller and Auditor General. It was suggested that this might be discussed between the Whips. Will the Taoiseach inquire whether any progress has been made in providing time for this discussion?
The question of it being discussed between the Whips is still under consideration.
Does the Taoiseach think he can do any better than that?