On a point of order, will the debate be guillotined?
Business of Seanad
Your question is——
We have only discussed nine amendments.
Your question is slightly premature, but when it comes to 7.30 p.m. I will be obliged by the order of the day to put the question to conclude Committee Stage.
I ask the Leader to increase the amount of time allowed for the debate. We will be discussing the impact of the household charge on social welfare recipients, and if he stops the debate about the poorest of the poor, shame on him.
That is not a point of order.
This guillotine is appalling. I regret the fact that my friends on the other side of the House have now employed the guillotine on a greater proportion of our debates than Fianna Fáil ever did. I never thought I would see this happen. I appeal that at least the time should be extended to allow discussion of the non-Government amendments. We can accept the Government amendments as passed.
I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that we resume Committee Stage at 5.30 p.m. tomorrow, when it had been agreed that we would take Report Stage.
Is that agreed? Agreed.
Well done. Congratulations to the Leader. That was an honourable gesture.
I ask the Leader whether he intends to adjourn the debate now, as we are so close to the concluding time.
We will adjourn at 7.30 p.m.