Order of Business
The Taoiseach proposes the day’s business and sitting arrangements; Deputy Coppinger objects to the planned suspension, while the Ceann Comhairle explains it is for staff’s break.
It is proposed to take No. 15a, motion re events at Ballymurphy in 1971 and legacy issues; No. 43, statements on Northern Ireland; No. 41, Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015 - Order for Report, Report and Final Stages, to adjourn at 7 p.m. if not previously concluded; No. 42, Children (Amendment) Bill 2015 [Seanad] - Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; and No. 1, Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2015, [Seanad] - Second and Subsequent Stages.
It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that (1) the Dáil shall sit later than 9 p.m. and shall adjourn on the conclusion of Private Members' business; which shall be No. 198, motion re social services and support (resumed), which shall take place not later than 9.30 p.m. or, in the event that a division is in progress at that time, immediately thereafter and shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 90 minutes; (2) following the Order of Business, the sitting shall stand suspended until 2 p.m. and Topical Issues shall take place on the conclusion of No. 43; (3) the proceedings in respect of No. 15a shall be taken at 2 p.m. and shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after one hour and 20 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply: (i) the speeches of the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and leaders of Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and the Technical Group, or a person nominated in their stead, who shall be called upon in that order, shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case, and such Members may share their time; and (ii) a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a speech in reply that shall not exceed five minutes; (4) the proceedings in respect of No. 43, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion after two hours and the following arrangements shall apply: (i) the statements of the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and leaders of Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and the Technical Group, or a person nominated in their stead, who shall be called upon in that order, shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case, and such Members may share their time; (ii) the statements of a Minister or Minister of State and the main spokespersons for Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and the Technical Group, who shall be called upon in that order, shall not exceed ten minutes in each case, and such Members may share their time; and (iii) a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply that shall not exceed five minutes; (5) the Report and Final Stages of No. 42 shall be taken tonight and the proceedings thereon shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 8 p.m. by one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in respect of amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs; and (6) the Second and Subsequent Stages of No. 1 shall be taken tonight and shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 90 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply: (i) the proceedings on Second Stage shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 65 minutes; the opening speeches of a Minister or Minister of State and of the main spokespersons for Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and the Technical Group, who shall be called upon in that order, shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case, and such Members may share their time; and a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a speech in reply that shall not exceed five minutes; and (ii) the proceedings on the Committee and Remaining Stages shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 25 minutes by one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in respect of amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
Tomorrow's business after Oral Questions shall be No. 44, Civil Debt (Procedures) Bill 2015 - Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; and No. 1a, Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2015 - amendments from the Seanad.
Comment on this
There are six proposals to put to the House. Is the proposal for dealing with the late sitting agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with the suspension of sitting and timing of Topical Issues agreed to?
Comment on this
Not agreed. A Cheann Comhairle, how could we possibly take an hour-long break after the Order of Business and-----
Comment on this
We are sitting for more than 13 hours. The staff are entitled to a break, in case the Deputy did not realise.
Comment on this
It is on the agenda, if the Ceann Comhairle does not mind me speaking on it. Otherwise, it should not be on the agenda.