Estimates 1990 (Resumed). - Allocation of Time: Motion. – Dáil Éireann (26th Dáil) – Thursday, 12 Jul 1990

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

I move:

That notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders or in the Resolution of the Dáil of 11 July relating to Sittings and Business

(1) on the conclusion of the proceedings on the Motion relating to the Bovine Diseases (Levies) Regulations, 1990, the Dáil shall proceed to consider the Seanad amendments to the Turf Development Bill, 1988, and to the Health (Nursing Homes) Bill, 1989, in that order;

(2) the following arrangements shall apply in the case of each of the said Bills

(a) the Seanad amendments shall be debated together, not more than ten minutes being allotted to such debate, and the proceedings on the amendments shall be brought to a conclusion by one question and

(b) speakers shall be confined to a member of the Government or Minister of State and a spokesperson for each of the Groups [as defined in Standing Order 89 (1)] in Opposition, who shall restrict themselves to a brief comment in each case; and

(3) business shall be interrupted on the conclusion of the proceedings of the Seanad amendments.

An Ceann Comhairle

There are some minutes left before the Minister is due to be called at 9.55 p.m. I should like——

Mr. McCartan

I wish to refer briefly, with your permission, to the motions that have just been put by the Minister of State.

An Ceann Comhairle

This is most unusual, Deputy.

Mr. McCartan

There is not agreement in respect of the motion.

An Ceann Comhairle

I presumed there was.

Mr. McCartan

No, there is not. I have attempted——

An Ceann Comhairle

If the Deputy is objecting to the motion I will put it to a vote.

Mr. McCartan

I want to briefly explain my position.

An Ceann Comhairle

There is another matter before the House.

Mr. McCartan

I was first notified of these developments at midday and I have attempted in the meantime to establish from the Chief Whip's office what exactly is happening. It is only now that I have found out what is being proposed. This motion is not acceptable to us. It is proposed to take substantial amendments to the Nursing Homes Bill within a period of ten minutes. No reasonable explanation has been offered as to why they have to be discussed in this way. If necessary we can discuss them tomorrow or next week——

An Ceann Comhairle

Please, Deputy.

Mr. McCartan

The principle of putting through on the nod amendments to important legislation is not acceptable to us. I am not happy with this arrangement at all.

Mr. Ferris

I suggest that the Minister of State's resolution should be put to the House when the debate on the Bovine Diseases (Levies) Regulations, 1990, is completed.

An Ceann Comhairle

That is the intention, Deputy.

Mr. V. Brady

I understood we had agreement——

Mr. McCartan

You should talk to The Workers' Party some time.

Mr. V. Brady

No discourtesy whatsoever was meant to The Workers' Party. I appeal at this late stage to Deputy McCartan to accept the motion. The amendments, as listed, are very small, and I believe adequate time is being provided here. I would invite Deputy McCartan to accept the motion. We have the agreement of the other parties to the motion and I understood we also had the agreement of The Workers' Party to it.

Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 12 Jul 1990