Before we begin, what is the position on the Order of Business? It was ordered that we would take Nos. 1 and 2, try to complete No. 2 and have no lunch break. What is the position now?
Business of Seanad.
I understand that the Order of Business stands. This morning Nos. 1, 2 and 3 were ordered. We have disposed of item No. 1. We are now on item No. 2. Having dealt with the Second Stage of the National Lottery Bill, we will then go on to the Malicious Injuries (Amendment) Bill, 1986, and proceed to conclusion of Second Stage of that Bill.
Is there a specific time for concluding?
Acting Chairman
No, there is no specific time.
We will complete the Second Stage of item No. 2 at——
Acting Chairman
There was no time agreed on the Order of Business.
If it is completed at 4 p.m. what happens then?
Acting Chairman
We then go on to take the Malicious Injuries (Amendment) Bill, 1986. That is what was agreed on the Order of Business.
Could we be going on indefinitely?
Acting Chairman
That is right. We proceed until we have dealt with the items as ordered on the Order of Business.
Does that mean we are dealing with items No. 1, 2 and 3 until completed?
Acting Chairman
We are now dealing with No. 2. When No. 2 is disposed of we will go on to item No. 3 and hopefully we will conclude Second Stage of item No. 3 this evening.
It could go to 12 midnight or 1 a.m.?
Acting Chairman
It could.
In the other House they know the time at which the House will rise. I understood that we were only completing item No. 2.
Acting Chairman
On the Order of Business, the Acting Leader of the House was quite clear and specific that items Nos. 1, 2 and 3 would be dealt with and Second Stages concluded.