It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 12 (resumed) and 13 (resumed). Before business is entered on it is proposed, by agreement, that Standing Orders be suspended under Standing Order 139 (1) to enable the Taoiseach and the leaders of the parties in Opposition to make statements, not exceeding 15 minutes in each case, as to the action to be taken to deal with the situation that has arisen following a recent District Court decision in respect of the law with regard to multiple voting by individuals and to enable statements, not exceeding ten minutes each, to be made by another Member of each party and by each of the Independents and that the leaders of the parties may each make a reply not exceeding five minutes each.
Order of Business.
I allowed the motion for the suspension of Standing Orders to be moved on short notice since there was general agreement to it but I want to make it clear from the point of view of future procedure that if the Government had not given Government time to this matter today the Opposition motion could not have been taken today as there is no Private Members' Business on a Thursday.
I am anxious to move the motion in my name, No. 9 on the Order Paper but not until after the Taoiseach has made a statement in relation to the District Court hearing. I would be grateful if the Chair would confirm that he will take my motion after the statement is made.
Assuming there is a satisfactory reply.
With the permission of the Chair I propose to raise on the Adjournment the threat to jobs at the ACEC factory in Waterford.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I should like to ask the Chair to consider granting me permission to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of the Private Notice Question tendered yesterday in view of the urgency of the situation.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I should like the Chair to investigate the taking of our typewriter from room 464 over the weekend.
The Chair will investigate that matter.
I should like to ask the Taoiseach if at this stage he would consider intervening in the serious situation regarding farm prices, a decision on which has been put off until after 10 May.
That cannot be discussed now.
Will the Chair grant me permission to raise that matter on the Adjournment?
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.