Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 4 Dec 2001

Vol. 545 No. 4

Treaty of Amsterdam: Motion.

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Mr. S. Brennan)

I move:

That the proposal that Dáil Éireann approve the exercise by the State of the option, provided by Article 3 of the fourth protocol set out in the Treaty of Amsterdam, to notify the President of the Council of the European Union that it wishes to take part in the adoption and application of the following proposed measure:

a proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in matters of parental responsibility (O.J. No. C 332, 27.11.01 page 269)

copies of which proposed measure were laid before Dáil Éireann on 28 November 2001, be referred to the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights, in accordance with paragraph (2) (a)(vi) of the Orders of Reference of that Committee, which shall, not later than 12 December 2001, send a message to the Dáil in the manner prescribed in Standing Order 79B, and Standing Order 79A(2) shall accordingly apply.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Is the motion agreed to?

(Interruptions.)

Mr. Rabbitte

Will the members of the K Club know about the budget before we do?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The question is, "That the motion re referral to joint committee of proposal under the fourth protocol to the Treaty of Amsterdam be agreed to".

Question put.

Tá

Ahern, Bertie.Ahern, Michael.Ahern, Noel.Andrews, David.Ardagh, Seán.Aylward, Liam.Blaney, Harry.Brady, Johnny.Brady, Martin.Brennan, Séamus.Briscoe, Ben. Browne, John (Wexford).

Tá–continued

Byrne, Hugh.Callely, Ivor.Carey, Pat.Collins, Michael.Cooper-Flynn, Beverley.Coughlan, Mary.Cowen, Brian.Daly, Brendan.Davern, Noel.Dempsey, Noel.Dennehy, John.Doherty, Seán.Fahey, Frank.Fleming, Seán.Flood, Chris.Foley, Denis.Fox, Mildred.Gildea, Thomas.Hanafin, Mary.Harney, Mary.Haughey, Seán.Healy-Rae, Jackie.Kelleher, Billy.Kenneally, Brendan.Killeen, Tony.Kitt, Michael P.Kitt, Tom.

Lenihan, Brian.McDaid, James.McGuinness, John J.Martin, Micheál.Moffatt, Thomas.Molloy, Robert.Moloney, John.Moynihan, Donal.Moynihan, Michael.O'Dea, Willie.O'Donnell, Liz.O'Donoghue, John.O'Flynn, Noel.O'Hanlon, Rory.O'Keeffe, Batt.O'Keeffe, Ned.O'Rourke, Mary.Power, Seán.Roche, Dick.Ryan, Eoin.Smith, Brendan.Smith, Michael.Treacy, Noel.Wade, Eddie.Wallace, Dan.Wallace, Mary.

Níl

Allen, Bernard.Barrett, Seán.Bell, Michael.Bradford, Paul.Broughan, Thomas P.Bruton, John.Bruton, Richard.Burke, Ulick.Carey, Donal.Clune, Deirdre.Connaughton, Paul.Coveney, Simon.Creed, Michael.D'Arcy, Michael.Deasy, Austin.Deenihan, Jimmy.Durkan, Bernard.Farrelly, John.Finucane, Michael.Fitzgerald, Frances.Flanagan, Charles.Gilmore, Éamon.Gregory, Tony.Higgins, Michael.Hogan, Philip.Howlin, Brendan.

McCormack, Pádraic.McGinley, Dinny.McGrath, Paul.McManus, Liz.Mitchell, Gay.Mitchell, Jim.Mitchell, Olivia.Moynihan-Cronin, Breeda.Noonan, Michael.O'Keeffe, Jim.O'Sullivan, Jan.Owen, Nora.Penrose, William.Perry, John.Quinn, Ruairí.Rabbitte, Pat.Reynolds, Gerard.Ring, Michael.Sargent, Trevor.Shatter, Alan.Sheehan, Patrick.Shortall, Róisín.Spring, Dick.Stagg, Emmet.Stanton, David.Timmins, Billy.Wall, Jack.

Tellers: Tá, Deputies S. Brennan and Power; Níl, Deputies Bradford and Stagg.

Question declared carried.

An Ceann Comhairle

We now come to deal with No. 48.

Mr. Stagg

On a point of order, prior to the previous business being taken, we requested the Ceann Comhairle to be summoned because a number of Members who wished to raise valid points of order were not allowed to do so. In the midst of trying to raise these points of order, the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, quite unusually, moved on and put other business to the House—

An Ceann Comhairle

We cannot comment on—

Mr. Stagg

It is most unusual for business to be proceeded with when Members are trying to make valid points of order. Members did not know what that business was because it could not be heard, but the Leas-Cheann Comhairle simply put it to a vote.

Mr. Howlin

It is an important issue.

Mr. Stagg

I want to register my protest about that procedure, which is most unusual.

Mr. Hogan

In light of what the Taoiseach has done in relation to this vote, and in light of the decision I made in 1995, does he believe I have a case for unfair dismissal?

Mr. Barrett

It is a fair question.

Mr. Quinn

If the Taoiseach has had time to consult with his office, perhaps he might indicate what I understand to be the position with regard to procedures for tomorrow's budget statements, that there will not be a change in the arrangements previously operated in this House. Is that a correct understanding of the position?

The Taoiseach

When I was asked the question by Deputy Noonan I said there was no change in the procedure, but then I got the note about the procedure. The last time I had to closely examine the procedure I was Minister for Finance. I did not realise the procedure was changed. The procedure is precisely as it was in the past three or four years.