I move:
That, with effect from 5th May, 1999, until the last sitting day of the Summer Recess –
(a) Standing Order 37 of the Standing Orders of Dáil Éireann relative to Public Business be amended –
(i) by the insertion of the following sub-paragraphs after sub-paragraph (iv):
"(v) Where similar Questions (other than Questions to the Taoiseach) are to be asked on the same day, the text of only that Question which is placed highest in the lottery shall appear on the Order Paper.
(vi) "Similar Question " means a Question put down by a member of a group which is, or would but for merely textual variations in its form of wording be, identical with one or more other Questions put down by the same member or by one or more other members of that group.",
and
(ii) by the addition of the following paragraph:
"(2) In the case of Questions (other than Questions to the Taoiseach) the sequence of which shall have been decided by lottery –
(a) the time allowed for each Question shall not exceed six minutes, of which –
(i) the time allowed for the initial Ministerial reply shall not exceed two minutes: Provided that, where a Minister or Minister of State so requests, the Ceann Comhairle shall direct that a statement containing additional information which is directly relevant to the Ministerial reply be furnished in the Official Report of the Debates, such statement being referred to in the course of the reply, and
(ii) the time allowed for each supplementary Question or the reply thereto shall not exceed one minute,
(b) where such Questions are grouped for reply, the total times allowed for the group and for the initial Ministerial reply shall be the aggregates of the time which would be allowed for the individual Questions: Provided that the total time allowed for any such group of Questions shall not exceed 18 minutes, and
(c) the time allowed for any such Question or group of Questions shall not be affected by the grouping therewith of a Question or Questions put down for written answer.",
and
(b) Standing Order 41 of the Standing Orders of Dáil Éireann relative to Public Business be amended by the addition of the following further proviso:
"Provided further that supplementary Questions shall not be grouped for the purposes of reply.".