Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Apr 1997

Vol. 478 No. 1

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take Nos. 10 to 43, Finance Bill, 1997 — Financial Resolutions; No. 44, motion concerning agreement between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United States on mutual assistance between their customs administrations; No. 45, motion concerning Euro-Mediterranean agreement between the European Union and Israel; No. 46, motion concerning Euro-Mediterranean agreement between the European Union and Morocco; No. 47, motion concerning Europe agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Slovenia; No. 48, motion concerning partnership and co-operation agreement between the European Union and Uzbekistan.

It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. tonight and business shall be interrupted not later than 9.30 p.m.; Nos. 10 to 43 shall be moved together and decided without debate by one question which shall be put from the Chair; No. 44 shall be decided without debate; Nos. 45 to 48 shall be moved and debated together and the following arrangements shall apply: the proceedings thereon, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 9.30 p.m. tonight by one question which shall be put from the Chair; the opening speech of a Minister or Minister of State and of the main spokespersons for the Fianna Fáil Party and the Progressive Democrats Party shall not exceed 30 minutes in each case; the speech of each other Member called upon shall not exceed ten minutes in each case; Members may share time; and a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a speech in reply which shall not exceed ten minutes. Private Members' Business shall be No. 93, motion No. 21 concerning lottery funding.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Is the late sitting agreed to? Agreed. Are the proposals for dealing with Nos. 10 to 43, inclusive, agreed to? Agreed. Is it agreed that No. 44 shall be decided without debate?

Miss Harney

I have no problem with that but I am anxious that the motions be put separately because we have a problem with one of them. It is not satisfactory that we vote on the five motions together because they relate to different issues. We have a problem in regard to the agreement with Israel, which we wish to vote against, but if all the motions are put together that would be difficult. Would it be possible to put the motions separately?

The Taoiseach

Agreement was reached on this order with the Deputy's party Whip — it was agreed that the motions would be moved and debated together. I am surprised the Deputy's party is changing its position on the matter.

Miss Harney

It was not agreed that the motions would be voted on together because they relate to different issues. The motions relate to agreements with five different countries and we have a problem with one of them. I have no problem debating the motions together, but it is unsatisfactory that one question should be put on five different agreements.

The Taoiseach

That may be a valid point but the Deputy's party should have put forward that view at the Whips' meeting when it might have been possible to facilitate the Deputy. The order has been prepared on the basis of an agreement reached with the Whips, including the Progressive Democrats Whip. If agreements of this nature are unscrambled on the floor of the House by parties that had already agreed to them elsewhere, that makes the ordering of business particularly difficult.

Miss Harney

There are many developments relating to this issue. We understood we would debate the motions together, with which we have no problem, but it is not my understanding that motions of this kind are dealt with by way of one composite question.

The Taoiseach

If the Deputy has points to make about the domestic position in Israel, the Palestinian peace process or any other matter of that nature she will have more than adequate opportunity to deal with that matter. Agreements have been reached with the Deputy's party that these items of business are to be taken together and we cannot tear up agreements at convenience.

Miss Harney

Concerns were expressed at the Whips' meeting, not only by the Opposition but by Deputy Eric Byrne in particular. It was even suggested that there would be no debate. We are anxious to have a vote on one matter with which we have a problem and if that is not accepted we will have to vote against the entire matter.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

If this matter is not agreed to I will have to put the question.

Miss Harney

I have no problem with the procedure but with the vote at 9.30 p.m. this evening. We will register our protest then.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I take it the proposals are agreed to? Agreed.