It is proposed to take Nos. 2, 3, 4, 13, 14 and 1. By agreement, the proceedings on No. 13 shall be brought to a conclusion not later than 7 p.m. today, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs shall be called on to conclude not later than 6.45 p.m. today. Private Members' Business will be No. 48, Motion 76.
Order of Business.
I would ask the Taoiseach to bear in mind that the Adoption Bill and the National Board for Curriculum and Assessment Bill which are on the Order Paper are two major pieces of legislation with important, far-reaching consequences. I hope the House will be given plenty of time to deal with them.
Yes. It is a matter for the Whips to decide the disposal of time. We are introducing the Bills now. The procedure for taking them will be a matter for the Whips to decide together.
I am just putting the Government on notice because, as the Taoiseach knows, time is running out for the Government.
In which direction the tide is running is, as in the case of the coast of Cork, another matter.
(Interruptions.)
In view of your ruling, which I accept, on my Private Notice Question in relation to the intervention of the IMF which is due to start here on 1 December and since other events, including a general election, may intervene before then, perhaps the Chair will give me the opportunity of raising this very important issue in the House on the Adjournment this evening so that the Minister will have an opportunity to explain why it is that the IMF are coming in here to do what they consider we are not capable of doing ourselves.
I regret that I cannot because the time for making that application is past. Notice must be given before 4 p.m.
Since it will not be possible, in the normal course of questions, to have the Minister answer this before 1 December, would it be possible for me to raise it tomorrow?
I cannot change the Standing Orders in that time. The Deputy can try again some other time.
(Interruptions.)
When is it intended to bring the Single European Act before the House?
That is for discussion between the Whips. It will obviously be in the next couple of weeks.
Has the Taoiseach got any idea?
I do not know whether the matter has been discussed. I think it is still to be settled.