Priority Questions and Private Members’ Time
The motion extended the existing arrangements until the Summer Recess. O’Malley objected that smaller opposition parties received too little Private Members’ Time, but the Chair said the House had agreed to take the motion without debate and put it to a vote.
I move:
That the Order of the Dáil of 16th June, 1987, in relation to Priority Questions and Private Members' Time, as amended by Orders of the Dáil of 17th December, 1987, 29th June, 1988, and 15th December, 1988, is hereby amended by the substitution of "until the adjournment of the Dáil for the Summer Recess, 1989" for "until the adjournment of the Dáil for the Easter Recess, 1989."
Comment on this
I am opposed to this motion, not with regard to Questions but on the matter of Private Members' Time. As the third largest party in this House we are now in the position that the best we can hope to obtain in terms of Private Members' Time is two sessions each year. That is totally inadequate and prevents this party and other of the smaller Opposition parties from exercising their due rights in this House. It is particularly regrettable in the context of the abandonment of Private Members' Business this week——
Comment on this
I note the Deputy's objection but I must point out to him that it was earlier agreed on the Order of Business that this matter would be taken without debate.
Comment on this
We can, of course, have a vote on the matter if the Deputy so desires but the House has already decided that this matter shall be taken without debate.
Comment on this
I am putting the Question: "That item No. 7 in respect of Priority Questions and Private Members' Time be agreed."