Order of Business
The day’s business is proposed and agreed, including limits and timing for today’s statements on Covid-19 and the Irish economy. Deputy Boyd Barrett suggests that, if the House is still sitting at 8 p.m., Members join the national applause for front-line workers, and the Chair confirms this is agreed.
In relation to today’s business, it is proposed that, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, the only business to be taken shall be the business as set out in the Report of the Business Committee dated 21 April 2020, with no Questions on Promised Legislation; between each item of business, the House shall suspend for a period not exceeding five minutes; No. 4, statements and questions and answers on Covid-19 to the Taoiseach, shall not exceed 100 minutes, with each party or group having ten minutes; No. 5, statements on the Irish economy, shall not exceed 115 minutes, with statements from the Minister and spokespersons from Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin not exceeding 15 minutes each and statements from all other parties or groups not exceeding ten minutes each; No. 6, statements and questions and answers on Covid-19 to the Minister for Health, shall consist of an opening statement by a Minister or Minister of State of five minutes, followed by questions and answers not exceeding 100 minutes, with each party or group having ten minutes, and a five-minute response by a Minister or Minister of State; No. 7, statements and questions and answers on Covid-19 to the Minister for Education and Skills, shall consist of an opening statement by a Minister or Minister of State of five minutes, followed by questions and answers not exceeding 100 minutes, with each party or group having ten minutes, and a five-minute response by a Minister or Minister of State; and the Dáil shall adjourn on the conclusion of statements and questions and answers on Covid-19 to the Minister for Education and Skills, until 12 noon on Thursday 30 April 2020.
Comment on this
I understand we are due to conclude before 8 p.m. If so, my proposal is null and void, but if we over-run and are still here at 8 p.m. I propose that we would join the national round of applause to the health and other front-line workers who are keeping us going and protecting us in this current situation.