Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 3 Oct 2006

Vol. 624 No. 3

Allocation of Time: Motion.

Mr. Kitt

I move:

That, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders or the Order of the Dáil on 28 September 2006:

Statements on disclosures relating to the Mahon tribunal should be taken now for 45 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply:

(i) the statement of the Taoiseach shall not exceed 15 minutes and the statements of the main spokespersons for the Fine Gael Party, the Labour Party and the Green Party, Sinn Féin and Deputy Joe Higgins shall not exceed five minutes in each case;

(ii) the Taoiseach shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed five minutes;

(iii) Leaders' Questions shall be taken on conclusion of the statements and;

(iv) on the conclusion of Leaders' Questions, the Taoiseach shall take questions on the subject matter of the statements which shall not exceed 40 minutes and the ordinary routine of business shall resume thereafter.

Mr. Bruton

On a point of order, there has been some confusion in the House as to whether the Taoiseach will provide a script. It would be useful for Deputies to have a clear understanding of what is being said rather than a misunderstanding or misinterpretation.

An Ceann Comhairle

Whether a script is used is a matter for the Taoiseach.

Mr. Bruton

It would be helpful.

Mr. Lowry

He is using a script.

Mr. Bruton

It is important that the questions people want to put be put accurately and succinctly.

Mr. Rabbitte

What did the Taoiseach say to the question raised?

An Ceann Comhairle

It is a matter for the speaker whether he wishes to use a script.

Mr. Rabbitte

The order before us is only 45 minutes old. We asked the Government last week for time to debate these matters and it refused. The Government came around to a position of offering a paltry 35 minutes in its entirety. The haggling has gone on for the week and 45 minutes before we come into the House, we find the order provides for the Taoiseach to make a statement for 15 minutes but that the rest of us will only have five minutes. That is inequitable.

The total provision of 45 minutes is entirely inadequate. We required in these circumstances a question and answer facility that is adequate to the gravity of the matter before us. The provision for questions and answers is minimalist, and is even less than was provided by this Taoiseach when last we had a situation like this — concerning former Deputy Ray Burke. It is inadequate, but because of the interest outside the House I do not want to divide the House on it. When the Tánaiste stated he would enforce accountability, it is important to record that the contents of this order do not amount to adequate accountability in these circumstances.

Mr. Sargent

Neither do I want to divide the House on this, but it is important we understand the order and can all work by it in an equitable way. My party is not dealing with Leaders' Questions today; we will be tomorrow. I ask that today, in the question and answer session, that fact would be respected. Sinn Féin may feel similarly. There is considerable interest in this and the number of people here indicates that. It would be appropriate, fair and equitable if, early on, the Ceann Comhairle would allow questions from parties not represented on Leaders' Questions. Could the Ceann Comhairle give that undertaking?

An Ceann Comhairle

No. The Chair will deal with questions in the way they are laid down and on the basis of proportionality on the size of parties, which is the fairest way to deal with questions.

Mr. Sargent

That is exactly what I am asking for.

Question put and agreed to.

The Taoiseach

On the order which is agreed, I make the point I answered questions on this for an hour last week. I was asked would I answer questions for 35 minutes.

Mr. Rabbitte

No, he was not.

The Taoiseach

Then I was asked would I add Leaders' Questions time. Then I was asked would I give another 15 minutes. There are 60 minutes for question time. I think I have taken an entirely reasonable position on this. I would have thought that I am the centre of the issue and it is not unreasonable for me to have 15 minutes and others to have 25 minutes.

Mr. English

Democracy is the centre of the issue.