I wish to clarify the Order of Business for the rest of the day as there might be some confusion. I propose, with the agreement of the House, that we move on to statements on French nuclear testing which will last for one hour to conclude not later than 1.20 p.m. On the Order of Business I suggested that we take Item 15, statements on Foreign Affairs, to cover the Bosnia issue. Some Members have already spoken on that and would like to speak again so I propose, with the agreement of the House, to have statements on Bosnia which will run from 1.20 p.m. and conclude not later than 2 p.m. I apologise to the staff for the absence of a sos but it is important that the House should be able to react flexibly and quickly to the needs of Members on important issues.
Business of Seanad.
Acting Chairman
What are the time limits for the statements on nuclear testing?
Spokespersons will have seven minutes and other speakers will have five minutes.
Acting Chairman
Statements will conclude not later than 1.20 p.m. and we will proceed with statements on Bosnia until 2 p.m.
May I ask for clarification? I am grateful to the Leader for providing this time. In the event that the time allocated for statements on the French nuclear testing is not taken up, would the Leader agree to proceed immediately to statements on Bosnia or does he anticipate that there will be a sos?
I would prefer to have a fixed time so Members can be sure about it. There was some confusion about the absence of a Minister during the statements on disability. There is a new arrangement in the House which enables us to react in a flexible way and have statements without a Minister being present. I have not invited a Minister for the statements on nuclear testing. However, the Minister indicated that he would like to contribute briefly to the statements on Bosnia. For that reason I am fixing that debate for one hour from now which will be 1.25 p.m. If more people are offering on Bosnia we can go a little bit past 2 p.m. I will not be rigid on that.
In the event of the French nuclear testing statements concluding prior to 1.20 p.m. does the Leader anticipate that there will then be a sos?
Yes.
I and my colleagues would welcome the presence of a Minister in the House at any time but particularly on this issue. I hope that none of the remarks made about the absence of a Minister were misinterpreted.
They were not.
It was felt at the time that the debate was of particular significance.
Acting Chairman
Item 3, statements on nuclear testing, will commence now, and one hour from now, we will have statements on Bosnia until 2 p.m. The time limits for the statements on nuclear testing are as follows: spokespersons will have seven minutes and all other Senators will have five minutes. What are the time limits for the statements on Bosnia?
Five minutes per speaker.
Is that five minutes per contributor, irrespective of their status?
Acting Chairman
Yes.