Does Deputy Ryan believe in equality? He clearly does not.

Please, Deputy Martin. Deputy Adams has the floor.

I want to object to the imposition of the guillotine on Thursday on the Second Stage debate on the Social Welfare Bill. Teachta Aengus Ó Snodaigh objected to this in the Business Committee. The Government said very clearly there would be no more guillotines. That is the basis on which I am coming forward. I ask the Taoiseach to allow any Teachta who wants to make a contribution on the Social Welfare Bill to be allowed to do so.

As agreed at the Business Committee the other day, we have allocated nine hours to Second Stage of the Social Welfare Bill this week. The members of the committee were good enough to extend the sitting time to facilitate those extra hours. As agreed, if we have more speakers than there is time available, we can order the business to go on next week. Right now, I do not have any speakers to take me past tomorrow. Deputy Adams might tell his colleagues that if they want to keep the debate going, they might contact the Whips office to get some speaking time.

I am pleased that the Government has conceded the point that there will not be a guillotine.

Please can we have order.

I want to repeat my point on the proposal in regard to Thursday. If the lock-out goes ahead on Wednesday, I simply cannot believe we will finish out the week without a serious discussion in this House. It is a dereliction of duty for the House not to debate the issue in detail and try to find a solution.

The Business Committee-----

The Business Committee did not meet last week.

We talked-----

This has come up since then. If the Minister of State, Deputy Doherty, does not understand that an urgent crisis has arisen since last week, then she is living on a different planet to the teachers and tens of thousands of pupils who have been discommoded.

You have made your point.

(Interruptions).

Can we have order?

I urge the Government to allow for such a debate.

Wait now, please. Deputy Boyd Barrett, in fairness, is entitled to silence. Let him make his point.