It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4. No. 2 will be taken at 4.30 p.m., if not reached earlier, and No. 4 will be taken at 6.30 p.m. after a break from 5.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.
Order of Business.
I am the last one who should be getting up on the Order of Business in view of the fact that item No. 1 is the first business ordered. On item No. 3, do I take it from the Leader of the House that it is only if there is time available today that it will be taken? I must express reservations about it. It is, after all, a matter of negating a statutory instrument. Is it possible that we would run out of time without this item being discussed?
Does Senator Ryan propose to surrender some of the time on his Bill to facilitate the Seanad?
No.
I wish to say that last week the question of the taking of item No. 3 was raised. I said on that occasion that there could not be the slightest suggestion that there was any right for a private Member to ask for discussion on the annulment of a statutory instrument to be held during Government time. I said last week that I would, if it were convenient, allow some Government time this week. Having already promised two hours for the Housing (Homeless Persons) Bill today that two hours will not be available. Item No. 2 is concerned with the ordering of the business of a joint committee of the Houses of the Oireachtas and must take precedence over an annulment which will not be spent until another ten sitting days have elapsed. Accordingly, I have done all that could reasonably be asked by ordering it as No. 3 on today's Order Paper.
Order of Business agreed to.