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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers.

Question Time procedure

Summary

The Chair introduced new Question Time procedures, and Haughey welcomed them while asking Ministers to answer questions and joking about which clock would end proceedings.

Thomas J. Fitzpatrick An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

As from today, the new procedure for dealing with parliamentary questions will apply. With considerable confidence I appeal for co-operation in improving Question Time from the point of view of everybody. I would suggest that we do that by refraining from making introductory speeches to or statements on questions and that Members would accept the exercise by the Chair of his discretion as to supplementary questions.

Finally, I propose to terminate what I might call valid questions on the dot of 3.30 p.m. and the priority questions at 3.45 p.m.

Comment on this

I welcome this new departure. It carries great potential for improving our procedures here. I am not going to make a speech; I just want to endorse your own few words. I assure you that we on this side of the House have every intention of making the new procedure work satisfactorily. I have only two reservations about that — one is that we would expect Government Ministers to give us the right answers to our questions and, second, I just wonder, when you are going to end promptly at 3.30 p.m., Sir, by which clock will you decide?

Comment on this
Thomas J. Fitzpatrick An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

The one I can see.

Comment on this