Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 24 May 1983

Vol. 342 No. 10

Allocation of Time: Motion.

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Mr. Barrett

, Dún Laoghaire): I move:

That, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders and in the Resolution of the Dáil of 15 December, 1982, relating to sittings and business on Tuesdays and Wednesdays—

(i) the Dáil shall sit later than 9 p.m. on Wednesday, 25 May, 1983, and later than 5.30 p.m. on Thursday, 26 May, 1983, and the hour at which business is to be interrupted each day shall be 12 midnight;

(ii) the Dáil shall meet at 10.30 a.m. on Friday, 27 May, 1983, and shall adjourn not later than 4 p.m.: and business on that day shall be confined to the Finance Bill, 1983;

(iii) the proceedings on the motion relating to the construction industry to be taken in Private Members' Time this week, and on any amendment thereto, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 8.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 25 May, 1983, by putting from the Chair the Question(s) necessary to bring them to a conclusion; and

(iv) the proceedings on the Committee Stage of the Finance Bill, 1983, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion in accordance with the following timetable; and where proceedings are to be concluded at a stated time they shall be concluded by one Question, which shall be put from the Chair, and which shall in relation to amendments include only amendments set down by the Minister for Finance:—

Timetable

	Proceedings	Time at which Question shall be put
	Sections 1 to 46 inclusive.	11.30 a.m.
Thursday,	Sections 47 to 65 inclusive.	12.30 p.m.
26 May, 1983	Sections 66 to 78 inclusive.	5.30 p.m.
	Sections 79 to 82 inclusive.	6.00 p.m.
	Section 83.	9.30 p.m.
	Sections 84 to
	105 inclusive.	3.00 p.m.
Friday, 27 May,	Sections 106 to 111 inclusive,
1983	Schedules and Title.	4.00 p.m.

Mr. B. Ahern

Last week with the excellent co-operation, as always, of the Government Whip we worked out this very detailed motion. This was done on the basis of the amendments which had then been put down to the Finance Bill. The Government amendments put down yesterday, to which Deputy Prendergast has already referred, substantially alter the position. Some of these are very severe and change the position as we discussed it at our Front Bench meeting last Thursday. Rather than changing or disagreeing with this motion, I would ask the Government Whip on the basis of a gentleman's agreement if we could sit later than 12 o'clock on either of the two nights or later than 4 o'clock on Friday, preferably later in the night sessions in order to facilitate Deputies, if we are making slow progress on the Bill.

The Taoiseach

Agreement was reached on the total time to be given to the Bill. I think the Deputy's party sought 32 hours and it is 31½, almost exactly what was sought. If problems arise or if the Deputy visualises problems arising because the timetable as set out does not take account of the balance of debate which now seems desirable from the point of view of the Opposition in the light of the latest amendments, we will of course be willing to co-operate in adjusting the timetable. The total time for the debate was agreed initially and I think that will have to stand.

Mr. B. Ahern

I think the Taoiseach will accept that the wording of the amendments takes up more space than the wording of the Bill. That was not the position last Thursday when we negotiated the time with the Government Whip. To continue to co-operate, I am asking for a gentleman's agreement that if we find there is a difficulty and we become stuck for too long on some section the time may be extended beyond midnight on Wednesday and Thursday or after 4 o'clock on Friday. I understand that the Bill must be in the Seanad tomorrow week and that it will have to be signed in two weeks.

The Taoiseach

I would be reluctant to agree to that at this stage. Late sittings beyond midnight have generally been avoided if possible. The position could be reviewed in the course of the debate. Adjustments to the timetable could be made if necessary and we can review the position. If a serious problem arises we will look at it, but with some reluctance as to sitting beyond midnight for reasons which have been traditional in the House.

Question put and agreed to.