I wish to propose a change to the Order of Business. It was decided that the Minister of State would be called upon to reply five minutes before the conclusion of the statements. The Minister of State has been informed that Members are keen to put questions and he has kindly agreed. I propose ten or 15 minutes before the conclusion of the business so that when the Members have made their contributions, 15 minutes would be available for questions and answers.
Business of Seanad.
I welcome the initiative taken by the Leader and thank the Minister of State for agreeing to take questions. I have no difficulty accepting the proposal on the basis that the principal speakers for each of the groups would speak and we would then proceed immediately to questions and answers. We do not need to hear speeches outside the contributions of the main spokespersons. Once the spokesperson of group has spoken I propose——
The debate cannot be curtailed and others may wish to speak.
It should be limited to questions and one can speak for as long as one wishes on questions.
I thank the Acting Chairman for his forbearance. I do not agree. I suggest things might get out of hand. I suggest that 15 minutes before the conclusion of statements, the Minister of State would take questions and give answers. That is my proposal for a change to the Order of Business.
Is it the Leader's proposal that at 3.45 p.m. questions can be put to the Minister of State for the remaining quarter of an hour?
The Acting Chairman is correct about the 15 minutes, but we can never know when debates will end in this House. At the conclusion of speakers' contributions, there will be 15 minutes of questions.
Is the proposal not later than that, but the Minister of State may prefer to come in earlier and take questions?
Yes. For 15 minutes.
Is it proposed to be a minimum of 15 minutes or a maximum?
No, 15 minutes; it cannot be any clearer than that.
Is it proposed to take one question from each group or from Members?
Yes.
With all due respect to all present, my proposal is the most sensible. I suggest that each of the groups would have one speaker. We do not need long statements to utilise our time. Anyone who wishes can make a statement on the Gettysburg address or anything else or put their question. The groups have something to say and that is to be welcomed. After that period of time, I suggest we have questions and answers.
I do not agree with that proposal. On the Order of Business this morning I stipulated the length of time for speakers. We cannot override Members' rights for the sake of what is now thought to be a very good idea of the Minister of State's. There may be Senators who will speak at length and those who may not. I stipulated the time allowed for spokespersons, for those sharing time and for Members who are supplementary speakers to the spokespersons. I can do no more.
As the Leader has put it, do I understand that up until 3.45 p.m. the spokespersons and Members will make contributions? I presume in those contributions they may ask questions and the 15 minute period up to 4 o'clock will be used by the Minister of State to reply to those questions. Is that a correct understanding?
The Senator's interpretation is correct but, on the timing, I cannot guarantee that everybody will speak up to a certain time.
I think there is agreement on that point if it is the case that there are no more speeches or statements, that there would be a longer period for questions.
The Minister of State has allowed 15 minutes and we are very satisfied with that.
The Minister of State will be here until 4 o'clock anyway.
I suggest we see how it develops. We could be here forever and the time will be gone.
I suggest we proceed.
Will there be injury time after 4 o'clock?
Is the proposal to amend the Order of Business agreed to? Agreed.