Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 12 May 1994

Vol. 442 No. 7

Issue of By-Election Writs: Motion.

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Mr. Dempsey)

I move:

That, nothwithstanding anything in the Resolution of the Dáil of 4th May, 1994, regarding the sittings of the Dáil from Tuesday, 17th May until Thursday, 19th May, the motions regarding the issuing of the Writs for the holding of by-elections in the constituencies of Mayo West and Dublin South-Central shall be moved on Wednesday, 18th May, before the announcement by the Taoiseach of Committee business for the day, and shall be debated together and the proceedings thereon shall be brought to a conclusion within 45 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply in relation to the debate:

(i) the speech of each Member called on shall not exceed 10 minutes in each case;

(ii) a Minister or Minister of State shall be called on not less than 5 minutes before the debate is due to conclude to make a speech in reply; and

(iii) the questions necessary to bring the debate to a conclusion shall be put successively at the end of the debate.

Mr. Deasy

There is a reference in the Order Paper to 18 May, next Wednesday. Will this House sit next Wednesday?

Mr. Dempsey

The House will be sitting next week; it is a committee week.

Mr. Deasy

Other than the committee meetings is the House sitting next Wednesday?

Mr. Dempsey

The committees and the House will be sitting. The House will be sitting next week to discuss committee work.

Mr. Deasy

It will be only the committees that will be meeting?

Mr. Dempsey

No, the relevant motion was passed last week; there will be an announcement of business on Wednesday and Thursday mornings and there will be Private Members' Business.

Mr. Deasy

Are those who are not members of committees expected to attend the Dáil next week?

Mr. Dempsey

All Members are expected to attend the Dáil every week, including members of committees.

Mr. Deasy

The circular we received from the General Office states that next week will be a committee week and that there will be no Question Time. I should like it explained to me——

An Ceann Comhairle

I might point out to the Deputy there was the stipulation, subject to agreement between the Whips. It is a matter to be decided by the Whips.

Mr. Deasy

Will there be Question Time next week?

Mr. Dempsey

In accordance with the agreement between the Whips 12 months ago there will not be Question Time. It is a committee week and the business of the House will be mainly committee business.

Mr. Deasy

A Cheann Comhairle, you will excuse me for sounding confused but it sounds like a lot of gobbledygook to me; we are sitting but we are not sitting; I do not understand this.

Mr. Dempsey

I do not know where the Deputy was when we last had a committee week. I thought every Member understood that when Committee Stages of Bills were being discussed every Member was expected to be here.

Mr. Deasy

A Deputy who is not a member of a committee does not have any business to attend to in the House.

An Ceann Comhairle

Let us deal with the Finance Bill.

Mr. Deasy

Why does the Minister of State not respond?

Mr. Dempsey

Any Member can sit in on any committee of the House, and contribute to any debate. Therefore, Deputy Deasy is quite welcome. Perhaps the Deputy would sort out whether he is a member of any committee.

Mr. Deasy

A Deputy cannot vote. Therefore, that Deputy might as well remain at home.