It is proposed to take No. 2, Allocation of Time Motion; No. 3, Statements on Omagh Tragedy followed by one minutes' silence, and No. 1, Offences against the State (Amendment Bill), 1998 — Order of Second Stage and Second and Subsequent Stages. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that No. 2 shall be decided without debate.
Order of Business.
There is only one proposal to be put to the House. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 2 agreed?
Will the Taoiseach indicate if it would be in order for the leaders to have some flexibility in completing their speeches if they extend a few minutes beyond the 15 minutes allocated? It would be better to agree that now so that speakers will not be interrupted.
I have no objection.
That means the Chair can exercise his discretion in relation to the completion of party leaders' speeches.
Is that agreed?
(Dublin West): Before the proposals for dealing with the Offences against the State (Amendment) Bill, 1998, are voted on this morning I want to strenuously oppose the Government's proposal to push through, with no public debate, these legislative measures which have major implications for the administration of justice.
We cannot go into this matter now. I am taking No. 2 without debate.
(Dublin West): It is not proposed that No. 1 be taken without debate. I am proposing that Second Stage only be taken today. Anybody on the Opposition benches who fancies himself as a parliamentarian should support that.
I am moving to deal with No. 2. I call on the Minster of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Deputy Séamus Brennan, to move the motion.