I move:
That, notwithstanding anything in the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, unless otherwise ordered, the following arrangements shall apply in relation to the sittings of the Seanad on Wednesday and Thursday, 27th and 28th September, 2023:
(1) The Seanad on its rising on Tuesday, 26th September, 2023, shall adjourn until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 27th September, 2023, and the following arrangements shall apply:
(a) Commencement matters shall be taken at 10 a.m. and up to six matters may be selected by the Cathaoirleach for discussion;
(b) Standing Order 30 shall stand suspended;
(c) The Order of Business shall be proposed at 11.30 a.m.
(2) The Seanad on its rising on Wednesday, 27th September, 2023, shall adjourn until 9.30 a.m. on Thursday, 28th September, 2023, and the following arrangements shall apply:
(a) Commencement matters shall be taken at 9.30 a.m.
(b) Standing Order 30 shall stand suspended;
(c) There shall be no Order of Business;
(d) The business to be taken shall be confined to the item set out in the Schedule to this paragraph and, accordingly, no other business shall be taken unless the Seanad shall otherwise order on motion made by the Leader of the House or such other Senator as she may authorise in that behalf.
Schedule
Statement by An Taoiseach, Mr. Leo Varadkar T.D.
The proceedings in respect of the Statement by An Taoiseach on Thursday, 28th September, 2023, shall commence at 10.30 a.m. and shall conclude no later than 12 noon, and shall consist of:
(a) a speech of welcome by the Cathaoirleach which shall not exceed 4 minutes;
(b) an opening Statement by An Taoiseach which shall not exceed 10 minutes;
(c) a contribution by the Leader of the House which shall not exceed 5 minutes;
(d) a contribution not exceeding 4 minutes by other Group Leaders (time may be shared);
(e) a contribution not exceeding 3 minutes by other Senators (time may be shared);
(f) a concluding response of not less than 10 minutes by An Taoiseach;
(g) a speech of thanks by the Leas-Chathaoirleach which shall not exceed 2 minutes.
(3) The Seanad on its rising on Thursday, 28th September, 2023, shall adjourn until 1 p.m. on Tuesday, 3rd October, 2023.”