It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the following arrangements shall apply in relation to the sitting today. The suspension of the sitting after the Topical Issue debate under Standing Order 25(1) shall be for 30 minutes only. A further suspension of the sitting will take place after Private Members’ business for ten minutes, following which statements on Traveller ethnicity will be taken, to be brought to a conclusion, if not previously concluded, after 95 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply: the speeches of a Minister or Minister of State and the main spokespersons for parties and groups shall not exceed ten minutes. Following these speeches, the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality may make a speech which will not exceed ten minutes, and all Members may share time. A Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a speech in reply which will not exceed five minutes.
Business of Dáil
I welcome the proposal, but I suggest that rather than having Travellers' groups ringing our offices yesterday to ask us whether statements would take place and not knowing whether that would be the case, it would be better to announce these things in advance and make provision for the groups for which it means so much to come into the Dáil and be present in the Gallery rather than having to-----
I understand over 200 people will be here. Some will be in the Gallery and ancillary space has had to be found to accommodate all those who wish to come to the House.
People rang our offices to ask-----
They rang many people's offices.
I ask that a copy of the revised schedule be circulated.
Is the proposed change to the Order of Business agreed? Agreed.