It is proposed to take Nos. 14 and 10. It is also proposed, subject to the agreement of the House, that the Supplementary Estimates shall be moved together and the following arrangements shall apply — (a) until 12.30 p.m. debate shall be confined to Vote 35, and from 12.30 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. the debate shall be confined to votes 14 and 16 respectively, and each debate shall be deemed to relate to a separate motion for the purpose of Standing Order No. 44; (b) the Supplementary Estimates shall be decided by one question which shall be put not later than 2.30 p.m. The Division shall be taken at 6.45 p.m. on Wednesday, 20 November 1991; (c) the following arrangements shall apply to the debate on the Supplementary Estimates — (1) the speech of the main spokes-person for each group shall not exceed 20 minutes; (2) the speech of each other member called on shall not exceed 15 minutes; and (3) the speech of the Minister concluding the debate shall not exceed ten minutes. The proceedings on No. 10 shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 4 p.m. If a Division is challenged today such division shall be taken at 6.45 p.m. on Wednesday, 20 November 1991.
Order of Business.
Are the proposals for dealing with the Supplementary Estimates agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal that No. 10 shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 4 p.m. today agreed? Agreed. If a Division is challenged today, such Division shall be taken at 6.45 p.m. on Wednesday, 20 November 1991. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Will the Taoiseach allow time in this session for a debate on the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General?
That does not refer to legislation.
In relation to the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General, the Comptroller and Auditor General indicates that a value on the Carysfort site would have been——
Sorry, Deputy De Rossa, I have just ruled the matter out of order.
I am simply asking if the new Minister for Education intends to come into the House to explain the difference between what the Comptroller and Auditor General claims the site was worth and the £8 million which the Department agreed to pay for it?
Please, Deputy De Rossa, there are ample ways and means of raising that matter. It does not arise on the Order of Business.
The Minister is not here.
I would love to get the answer to the question that is being raised but I will not attempt to raise it.
It can be raised in a variety of ways.
When does the Minister propose to announce the assignments for the new Ministers of State and will he indicate when the fourth Minister of State is likely to be announced?
Those matters will be dealt with by the Government today.
I thank the Taoiseach for the information. I am asking for the benefit of Fianna Fáil backbenchers if that information will be made available and made public today.
Yes.
(Limerick-East): Has the Minister for Finance, Deputy Ahern, yet pencilled in a date for the publication of the Estimates, and could I have an assurance that the Dáil will have adequate time to debate them this session?
I have already answered that question at least five times.
(Limerick-East): Yes, but things are changing every day. I was wondering if the Taoiseach's timetable had gone back.
As far as the Deputy's rather corrosive approach to life is concerned, nothing changes.
(Limerick-East): Is the Taoiseach sending out Christmas cards this year, and will he send me one?
I want to refer to my question, which I believe is in order, about the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General. Will we be allowed time in the House to debate this in the next couple of weeks?
It is a matter that can be decided by the Whips.
As the Taoiseach is leader of the House——
It is not in order now.
May I just press the point?
I am sorry, Deputy, the issue is quite clear to the Chair and to the House. I am calling the next item, Item No. 14.