Question Time has concluded and we shall now take the Private Notice Question.

Dún Laoghaire): On a point of order, and in this respect I am not implying any criticism of the Chair, I seek your guidance in relation to the interpretation of Standing Orders in the matter of Question Time. It was understood clearly that ordinary Question Time would be between 2.30 and 3.30 p.m. and that priority Question Time would be between 3.30 and 3.45 p.m. I understand there is some doubt as to whether the Standing Order in question allows for that, but from the point of view of the House it is important that we should clarify the position once and for all because it has been a long-established principle that Question Time is from 2.30 to 3.30 p.m. In the event of questions concluding earlier than 3.30 there might be difficulty for Deputies who had left the House to do other jobs in the belief that they would not be required until a certain time. Therefore, I should like it to be established clearly that Question Time be from 2.30 to 3.30 p.m. with priority questions being taken from 3.30 to 3.45 p.m., but, if there is a question of having to amend Standing Orders, I should like to have the Chair's guidance before we proceed further.

I know that the Minister does not propose speaking ex cathedra. My interpretation of the relevant Standing Order is that Question Time commences at 2.30 and concludes not later than 3.45 p.m. If what I refer to as the balloted questions are disposed of before 3.30, we move to priority questions; and if they are concluded before 3.45 we move to the next business unless some steps are taken to the contrary. The Minister is not quite correct when he says that there is a long-standing practice that Question Time begin at 2.30 and continue for a full hour. In the good old days or the bad old days, depending on one's view, Question Time occasionally did not last for an hour. My understanding is that in that event the House moved to the next business.

Question Time is about to conclude today at 3.38. Was it your intention to adjourn the House until 3.45 p.m.?

Not unless a Member of the House moved that the House should adjourn. My attitude in such a case would be to move to the next business.

It was indicated earlier, and the Government Chief Whip took the same line, that Question Time should continue until not later than 3.45 p.m. The interpretation of that would be that Question Time would conclude at 3.45 p.m.

I regard my ruling as being a matter of commonsense, because if we were to have these short adjournments the time of the House would be wasted. It is a matter for the Chair to ensure that that does not happen. The interpretation I am putting on the Standing Order is well supported by a long standing precedent.

It is now 3.45 p.m. and it is not our intention to waste any more time, but we should have the matter clarified.

I knew the Whips would find a way around this.

The Government are trying to fill the time that is available.