It is proposed, not-withstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the following arrangement shall apply in relation to the debate on No. 6: (1) the proceedings shall be brought to a conclusion at 6.50 p.m.; (2) the opening speeches of the Taoiseach, the Leader of the Fianna Fáil Party and the main spokesperson for the Progressive Democrat Party, shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case; (3) the speech of each other Member called upon shall not exceed ten minutes in each case; (4) Members may share time; (5) the Taoiseach will be called upon not later than 6.15 p.m. to make a speech in reply, not exceeding ten minutes; and (6) following the Taoiseach's concluding speech and before the question necessary to bring the proceedings to a conclusion is put, the Taoiseach shall take questions for a period not exceeding 25 minutes. Private Members' Business shall be No. 26.
Order of Business.
Are the proposals for dealing with No. 6 agreed? Agreed.
Given that 15,000 teachers marched in this city today, that there has been a breakdown of partnership in the education system——
There is no need to elaborate on the matter.
——and that the Minister for Education has allowed the talks process to collapse, will the Taoiseach give the House a guarantee that the education Bill which has been long promised will see the light of day before the end of this year?
I expect it will.
Has the Government plans to bring this impasse to an end for the sake of the students, parents and teachers involved?
The Deputy should not elaborate on the matter now.
The only plan is to engage the unions concerned in talks. It is outrageous and is a complete negation of partnership——
The Deputy should desist, please.
To return to an item raised at Question Time, when does the Taoiseach expect to report to the House on the very serious issue regarding Fr. Smyth?
That is not a matter for the Order of Business.
It is a very important matter which may require legislation. Will the Taoiseach tell the House when he expects to respond to it?
Let us not elaborate on the matter now.
When does the Taoiseach expect to respond to the House on this issue?