Private Members’ Time allocation
The motion would extend the existing arrangements through the summer recess. Harney questioned whether a party’s unused Private Members’ time passes to the next party; the Chair said he would look into it, while O’Brien said Fine Gael had agreed to give up its time at the Government’s request.
I move:
That the Order of the Dáil of 16 June 1987, in relation to Priority Questions and Private Members' Time is hereby amended by the substitution of "until the adjournment of the Dáil for the Summer Recess, 1988" for "until the adjournment of the Dáil for the Christmas Recess".
Comment on this
This motion has been in operation since the summer recess but it has worked very unsatisfactorily for a number of reasons, not least of which is the limited amount of time which the parties have at their disposal. I would like to seek your clarification, a Cheann Comhairle, on a matter. There were two weeks in this session when Private Members' time was given up. On one occasion, this week, it was given up by the Fine Gael Party and on the other occasion the Government took an important matter in Private Members' time
Comment on this
The Deputy will appreciate that it was decided earlier by an order of this House to take these matters without debate. I will facilitate the Deputy by allowing her to put a question if she has a pertinent question to put.
Comment on this
If a party give up their right to have Private Members' time, as the Fine Gael Party did this week, does the next occasion on which Private Members' time is available go automatically to the next party on the list?
Comment on this
A Cheann Comhairle, it is important to get this matter corrected. All of these matters are agreed at meetings between the Whips and at meetings of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. The Fine Gael Party did not give up their Private Members' time. A request was made and it was agreed to.