Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Feb 2010

Vol. 701 No. 3

Business of Dáil: Motion.

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy Pat Carey)

I move:

That notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders:

The following arrangements shall apply with regard to today's sitting: (1) Oral Questions shall not be taken today; (2) Statements on Northern Ireland shall be taken now and the proceedings thereon shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 4.30 p.m. today, and the following arrangements shall apply: (i) the statements of the Taoiseach and of the main spokespersons for Fine Gael, the Labour Party and Sinn Féin, who shall be called upon in that order, shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case; (ii) the statements of each other Member called upon shall not exceed ten minutes in each case; (iii) Members may share time; and (iv) a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed ten minutes; (3) Leaders' Questions shall be taken on the conclusion of the statements on Northern Ireland; and (4) the Order of Business shall be taken at the conclusion of Leaders' Questions.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is the proposal agreed to?

Deputy Finian McGrath

On a point of order, has any time been allocated for Independent Deputies to speak in this debate? I notice we are to have a two hour debate. As far as I am aware, none of the Independent Members is being allowed to speak. Will the Ceann Comhairle clarify that matter?

An Ceann Comhairle

We have agreed the arrangements, as per the proposal made by the Chief Whip, which stated:

. . . the following arrangements shall apply: (i) the statements of the Taoiseach and of the main spokespersons for Fine Gael, the Labour Party and Sinn Féin, who shall be called upon in that order, shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case; (ii) the statements of each other Member called upon shall not exceed ten minutes in each case; (iii) Members may share time; and (iv) a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed ten minutes . . .

Those are the arrangements for the speakers.

Deputy Finian McGrath

It is not acceptable that a small minority of Members of the Dáil is not allowed to speak, particularly those of us who want to make a contribution and who have made a contribution in regard to the peace process. It is disgraceful and undemocratic. It is one of the reasons former Deputy Lee has spoken out about the urgent need for reform of the Dáil.

An Ceann Comhairle

We have noted the Deputy's sentiments on the matter. Perhaps some arrangement can be made by way of sharing time.

Deputy Finian McGrath

It will be contentious.

Question put and agreed to.