I move:
That, for a period of six months, the following shall apply in substitution for Standing Orders 20 and 21 of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business—
20. (1) Unless it shall otherwise resolve, the Dáil shall meet every Tuesday at 2.30 p.m. and every Wednesday and Thursday at 10.30 a.m., and shall adjourn not later than half an hour after the interruption of business provided for in paragraph (2) of this Standing Order.
(2) At 8.30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and at 5 p.m. on Thursdays, subject to the provisions of paragraphs (4) and (5) of this Standing Order, the proceedings on any business then under consideration shall be interrupted (or if the Dáil be in Committee, progress shall be reported and leave asked to sit again): Provided that if an Order shall have been made under Standing Order 21, that the hour at which business is to be interrupted be other than that specified in this paragraph, the provisions of this Standing Order with such substitution shall otherwise apply.
(3) Any member may give notice, not later than 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays or 2.30 p.m. on Thursdays, of a matter which he wishes to bring forward for discussion on the interruption of business. Two such matters may be selected by the Ceann Comhairle on any given day. Where two matters have been selected, in each case the speech of the member bringing forward the matter shall not exceed ten minutes and a member of the Government or Minister of State shall be entitled to five minutes for a speech in reply. The Dáil shall not divide on any matter arising out of such discussion, nor shall opposed business be taken after 8.30 p.m. or 5 p.m. respectively.
(4) If at the time appointed for the interruption of business as provided in paragraph (2) of this Standing Order, the closure is moved or proceedings under the closure are in progress, the Ceann Comhairle will not effect such interruption until the proceedings under the closure, and on any such further motion as is specified in the Standing Order as to closure [S.O.58] have been completed.
(5) If, at the time appointed for the interruption of business as aforesaid,
(a) a division is in progress or has been order to be taken or
(b) the debate on an item of business has concluded,
the interruption shall not take place until after the decision has been declared from the Chair. If the decision is on an amendment, or on an amendment to the amendment, the Ceann Comhairle shall proceed after such declaration to put in proper sequence the Questions necessary to bring proceedings on the item of business to a conclusion, but if any member offers to speak thereon or objects to further proceedings, the interruption shall thereupon take place.
21. A motion that the hour at which business is to be interrupted on a particular day be other than that provided for in Standing Order 20 may be made by a member of the Government without notice not later than 6.30 p.m. on a Tuesday or Wednesday or 3 p.m. on a Thursday: Provided that a member of the Government may move after notice that, for a specified period, the hour at which business is to be interrupted be other than that provided for in Standing Order 20. If such motion be agreed to, the provisions of Standing Order 20 with such substitution shall otherwise apply.