Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Mar 1999

Vol. 501 No. 6

Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

It is proposed to take No. 7, motion re Agreement between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; No. 8, motion re establishing a North-South Ministerial Council; No. 9, motion re establishing implementation bodies; No. 10, motion re establishing a British-Irish Council; No. 11, motion re establishing a British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference, and No. 3, the British-Irish Agreement Bill, 1999, Order for Second Stage and Second Stage.

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 10 p.m.; Nos. 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 shall be moved together and decided without debate by one question which shall be put from the Chair; Second Stage of No. 3 shall be taken today and the proceedings thereon, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 10 p.m.; Private Members' Business, which shall be No. 76, motion re EU Commissioner, shall be brought to a conclusion at 8.30 p.m. tonight and Private Members' Business shall not be taken tomorrow.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

There are four proposals to be put to the House. Is the proposal for the late sitting agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with Nos. 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 3 agreed?

Mr. J. Bruton

I am glad we have been able to reach agreement on taking Committee Stage of the Bill at a later date. I am aware that it is not possible for the House to amend the legislation because it is based on an international treaty but it is important that it should have an opportunity to tease out the meaning of particular words. I am glad that agreement has also been reached on Private Members' time. Some Fine Gael time is being made available to facilitate the Committee Stage debate.

Mr. Quinn

There has been negotiation in the past hour or so on the Order of Business which will affect business tomorrow. Is it the intention to conclude the Second Stage debate on No. 3 at 7 p.m. and that Committee and Remaining Stages will be taken tomorrow between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.?

The Taoiseach

The debate on Second Stage will conclude at 10 p.m. This arrangement has been designed to facilitate the passage of the legislation through both Houses this week. This is appreciated.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Is the proposal for dealing with No. 3 agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with Private Members' Business agreed? Agreed.