It is proposed to take No. A6 on the Supplementary Order Paper, Nos. 6 and 9. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that: (1) the proceedings on No. A6, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion within two hours or at 6.45 p.m. whichever is the earlier, and the following arrangements shall apply in relation to the debate; (i) the opening speech of a Minister or Minister of State and of the main spokesperson for the Fine Gael Party, the Progressive Democrat Party and the Technical Group shall not exceed 20 minutes in each case; (ii) the speech of each other Member called upon shall not exceed five minutes in each case; and (iii) a Minister or Minister of State shall be called on not less than ten minutes before the debate is due to conclude to make a speech in reply; (2) the following arrangements shall apply in relation to the debate on No. 6: (i) the opening speech of a Minister or Minister of State and of the main spokesperson for the Fine Gael Party, the Progressive Democrat Party and the Technical Group shall not exceed 10 minutes in each case; and (ii) the speech of each other Member called upon shall not exceed five minutes in each case. Private Members' Business shall be Nos. 16 and 23 — Motion No. 17.
Order of Business.
Are the proposals to deal with item No. A6 agreed? Agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with item No. 6 agreed? Agreed.
I welcome the fact that Deputy McDowell's motion and my opposition to it last week has elicited a debate on it. Why has the Chair accepted this motion from the Government when if a motion had been tabled by any other Member it would have been ruled out of order on the basis that there is already a motion on the Order Paper?
This motion is being taken now under an order of the House which cites "notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders" and it has just been agreed.
It would be good to have a debate soon on the Ethics in Public Office Bill. When will it be debated?
There is no problem about having an early debate on it. We will let the Whips discuss it.
I would agree to an early debate.
I am sure the Deputy would and so would I, but we will leave the matter to be discussed by the Whips.
Maybe the Taoiseach needs to discuss it more than I do.
No, I do not. That is why a two hour debate has been allowed today.
I seek the Chair's guidance on a matter in the context of the Ethics Bill. A few months ago some Deputies, including myself, were invited to a ceremony to turn the sod of the Tallaght Hospital. I understand tomorrow the ceremony for the laying of the foundation stone will take place with a public relations fanfare. I ask the Taoiseach if this type of political ceremony before an election is appropriate? Will it be covered by the Ethics in Public Office Bill?
This matter is not appropriate now.
There is a hay field on top of the sod Charles Haughey turned in Swords.
Deputy Flanagan, please resume your seat.
With the recent good weather——
Global warming.
——people who live in Dunsink and Ballealy are beginning to smell the lack of a Government policy on waste. Will the Taoiseach give a definite date for its publication rather than say it will be published soon? It was promised for before the recess.
It is collecting sods at the moment.
It is progressing well and we hope it will be published before the end of the session.
I have heard that before.
We will do our best. I thought the Deputy was going to say he was against good weather.
When will the Minister for Agriculture pay the cattle and sheep headage premia?