We requested at the Business Committee that there be a discussion on the importation of American fracked gas, otherwise known as the LNGs from Shannon.

We made that request absent the knowledge that this Friday the energy regulator in the European Union will sign off on projects of common interest, which include the Shannon LNG project. We asked this question in September but we did not get an answer. We were told it would be sometime in October. As a consequence, there is a committee discussion scheduled but it will take place after the fact that we will, as a nation, have signed off on a project which will import American fracked gas. This gas is extremely dangerous to the people and environment of North America. This House and people generally know little about this dangerous move. We need time for discussion. Are we ignoring the advice of the EU energy regulator who said we should not sign off on this because the cost outweighs the benefits?

This is on the Order of Business. We cannot have a lengthy statement on the matter.

Can we have a discussion before Friday on fracked American gas being imported into this country?

The Deputy has raised a legitimate point. The Minister is going to respond.

The position is that Shannon LNG has been on the list of projects of common interest for six years. It is likely that it will remain on that list. Gas has been recognised as an important transition fuel, as we move away from oil, peat and coal to renewables. I am considering the terms of a motion tabled by the Deputies.

On a point of order-----

I have also signalled-----

Will the Minister give way to a point of order from Deputy Thomas Byrne?

This is a question about the timing of a debate. Can each of us have the same opportunity to ask a Minister a detailed question?

The context is important if the Minister is to answer the question.

This concerns the Business Committee.

Deputy Bríd Smith is taking advantage of the Ceann Comhairle’s generosity to get a detailed response. This is about the scheduling of debates.

Hold on Deputy. Can we stop the clock? Deputy Bríd Smith raised a matter which was dealt with at the Business Committee. She has chosen to come in here and raise it again.

That is not correct.

Excuse me, Deputy. We dealt with the matter at the Business Committee. We understood it was to be referred to the appropriate Oireachtas committee.

That is not fair. We had an agreement in the absence of the knowledge that the projects of common interest should be signed off this Friday.

Will the Deputy resume her seat?

What is the point in having a debate on it next week?

Will the Deputy resume her seat? That is why I asked the Minister to respond to the Deputy. The Deputy’s query is reasonable in the circumstances. The Minister has given the Deputy his response.

No, he has not.

He has not given the response the Deputy wants.

He just went on about gas as a transitional fuel. We need the debate on Shannon LNG before Friday.

That is only if the Dáil decides we need it.

Otherwise we will be letting people down not just here but internationally.

This is a hijack.

Is the proposal for dealing with Wednesday’s business agreed to?

It is not agreed on the same basis that there needs to be a slot allocated for this discussion.

The Deputy has made her point.

I have the support of other Deputies.

Can I just add my voice to that?

No.

The idea that-----

Deputy Paul Murphy should resume his seat. I know he has departed his grouping but, to some extent, he is still part of it. We will have only one speaker per group.

I point out to the parties to that particular matter that if it had been brought to our attention prior to this sitting, it could have been dealt with without this time being taken. However, we will now proceed.

We did not know until the weekend.

We will proceed now to questions on promised legislation. There are 24 Deputies offering and 25 minutes remaining.