I move:
That, until further notice, the following shall apply in substitution for Standing Orders 20 and 21 of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business:
20. (1) Unless it shall otherwise resolve, the Dáil shall meet every Tuesday at 2.30 p.m. and every Wednesday and Thursday at 10.30 a.m. and shall adjourn not later than fifty minutes after the interruption of business provided for in paragraph (2) of this Standing Order.
(2) At 8.30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and at 5 p.m. on Thursdays, subject to the provisions of paragraphs (8) and (9) of this Standing Order, the proceedings on any business then under consideration shall be interrupted (or if the Dáil be in Committee, progress shall be reported and leave asked to sit again): Provided that if an Order shall have been made under Standing Order 21, that the hour at which business is to be interrupted be other than that specified in this paragraph, the provisions of this Standing Order with such substitution shall otherwise apply.
(3) Any Member may give notice in writing, not later than 12 noon on Tuesdays and Wednesdays or 11 a.m. on Thursdays, of a matter which he wishes to bring forward for discussion on the interruption of business by way of
(a) a five minute speech (in respect of which the provisions of paragraph (6) of this Standing Order shall apply) or
(b) a two minute statement (in respect of which the provisions of paragraph (7) of this Standing Order shall apply),
but the Dáil shall not divide on any matter arising out of such discussion, nor shall opposed business be taken after 8.30 p.m. or 5 p.m., respectively.
(4) A Member may give notice that he wishes to raise a matter in both of the above-mentioned ways but must express a preference.
(5) After Questions, the Ceann Comhairle shall advise the Dáil of the matters in respect of which notice has been given under paragraph 3 (a) of this Standing Order and the name of the Member concerned in each case. He shall also, at the first convenient opportunity, advise the Dáil of the matters which he has selected for discussion.
(6) The Ceann Comhairle shall select three matters upon which the member concerned may make a five minute speech. In each case a member of the Government or Minister of State shall be entitled to not more than five minutes for a speech in reply. The matters selected must relate to public affairs connected with a Department of State or to matters of administration for which a member of the Government or Minister of State is officially responsible.
(7) The Ceann Comhairle shall select five matters upon which a two minute statement may be made by the Member who has given notice. The matters selected must relate to public affairs connected with Departments of State or to matters of administration for which a member of the Government or Minister of State is officially responsible. Furthermore, the matters on which statements are to be made shall be selected having regard to the following rota:
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Matters appropriate to the following Departments: |
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Day one |
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs |
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Minister for Finance |
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Day two |
Minister for Social Welfare Minister for Justice |
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Day three |
Minister for Enterprise and Employment |
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Day four |
Minister for Defence and Marine |
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Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry |
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Day five |
Minister for Tourism and Trade Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications |
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Day six |
Minister for Equality and Law Reform |
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Minister for Arts, Culture and Gaeltacht |
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Day seven |
Minister for Health |
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Minister for Education |
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Day eight |
Rota to recommence. |
The statements, in respect of each of which a member of the Government or Minister of State may make a two minute statement in reply, shall be made at the end of the discussions comprehended by paragraph (6) of this Standing Order.
(8) If, at the time appointed for the interruption of business as provided in paragraph (2) of this Standing Order, the closure is moved or proceedings under the closure are in progress, the Ceann Comhairle will not effect such interruption until the proceedings under the closure, and on any such further motion as is specified in the Standing Order as to closure [S.O. 58] have been completed.
(9) If, at the time appointed for the interruption of business as aforesaid,
(a) a division is in progress or has been ordered to be taken or
(b) the debate on an item of business has concluded,
the interruption shall not take place until after the decision has been declared from the Chair. If the decision is on an amendment, or on an amendment to the amendment, the Ceann Comhairle shall proceed after such declaration to put in proper sequence the Questions necessary to bring proceedings on the item of business to a conclusion, but if any Member offers to speak thereon or objects to further proceedings, the interruption shall thereupon take place.
21. A motion that the hour at which business is to be interrupted on a particular day be other than that provided for in Standing Order 20 may be made by a member of the Government without notice not later than 6.30 p.m. on a Tuesday or Wednesday or 3 p.m. on a Thursday: Provided that a member of the Government may move after notice that, for a specified period, the hour at which business is to be interrupted be other than that provided for in Standing Order 20. If such motion be agreed to, the provisions of Standing Order 20 with such substitution shall otherwise apply.'."