Vol. 640 No. 3
I move:
that the Orders of Reference of the following Select Committees be amended in paragraph (1)(a) by the deletion of ‘11 members' and the substitution therefor of ‘13 members':
Select Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs;
Select Committee on Health and Children;
Select Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights.
I move amendment No. 1:
To insert betweeen lines 6 and 7—
"Select Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food that the Orders of Reference of the following Select Committees be amended in paragraph (1)(a) by the deletion of ‘11 members’ and the substitution therefor of ‘15 members’:
I submitted an amendment and I regret that the Journal Office has produced and arranged for the circulation of an inaccurate text this morning. I gave the Ceann Comhairle the correct text of the amendment and have received a message from the Journal Office that it accepts it made a mistake. The document that has landed on Members' desks can be ignored.
I remind the Deputy that he has already spoken on the issue. I also remind him that the amendment was submitted very late. It is being allowed as a concession. As we have already had a discussion on it this morning we cannot have a discussion on it now. Under Standing Orders the Deputy is entitled to move and read the amendment. I will then put the amendment.
It is worth a good long discussion.
The Ceann Comhairle must appreciate that we did not see the motion until this morning. The amendment was tabled in time and I am not here to look for concessions or sweets from anybody's trolley, only for fair play and justice.
I am not here to give sweets. I am merely here to implement Standing Orders.
The net effect of my amendment would be that the motion would have the introductory paragraph extending the membership from 11 to 13 of two committees, namely the Select Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, and the Select Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and that the like paragraph would extend the membership from 11 to 15 in the Select Committee on Health and Children and the Select Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights. I understand and appreciate the Government in accommodating any extension of access to these committees would want the reciprocal appointment of a Member from the Government benches in order to ensure the Government's advantage in numerical terms. I am asking that the amendment be accepted. I am asking for those parties that have negotiated to secure the arrangement in their own interest that they would also——
I am obliged to put the question. I cannot have a debate on it.
I am asking for full support.
Vótáil.
Will the Deputies claiming a division please rise?
Deputies Martin Ferris, Arthur Morgan, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin and Aengus Ó Snodaigh rose.
As fewer than ten Members have risen, I declare the amendment lost. In accordance with Standing Order 68, the names of the Deputies dissenting will be recorded in the Journal of the Proceedings of the Dáil.
I must now advise the House that the second circulated text of the amendment is also wrong. Will the Ceann Comhairle confirm that the correct text will be recorded in the Official Report?
The amendment, as circulated, is the subject of an administrative error and the record of the House will be amended in accordance with the Deputy's wishes.
Vótáil.
Will the Deputies claiming a division please rise?
Deputies Martin Ferris, Arthur Morgan, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin and Aengus Ó Snodaigh rose.
As fewer than ten Members have risen I declare the question carried. In accordance with Standing Order 68 the names of the Deputies dissenting will be recorded in the Journal of the Proceedings of the Dáil.
