Reserved speaking slots
A procedural dispute arose over whether additional leaders and reserved slots should be accommodated after time had run over. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle refused to prolong the session, said the matter should go back to the Business Committee, and ended the item.
I am just letting in the next two leaders and then the Taoiseach can answer all three.
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I cannot hear a word from the Minister of State, I am sorry. He will have to use the microphone.
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There are two Government Deputies and a Sinn Féin Deputy on the list, as per Dáil reform. If the Leas-Ceann Comhairle is accommodating the additional two leaders from the groups, we should also accommodate the two Government Deputies and the other Sinn Féin Deputy who are on the first list. To be fair, it is important to accommodate all speakers who are here.
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Resume your seat for a moment. If I have made a mistake, I apologise. I am not accommodating all the Deputies in the groups. If I have made a mistake, I have made a mistake. I am letting in the three leaders. That was my understanding. I apologise. We have run out of time.
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I was simply trying to facilitate Deputies. If Deputies are not in agreement, I will not do it but I would ask them to let me use my discretion. That is all I can do. I am not facilitating everyone, as there is no time. We are way over time. Deputies do not agree with me and that is fine. I am not having a discussion on it. If they do not agree with me, that is okay.
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There is a solution, which is allowing the reserved slots as well. It is very simple and everyone gets to have a say.
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We have no time. We are way over time. It is not a question of that. I am going to drop it altogether. There is no co-operation. I am sorry, Deputy McGrath.
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I wanted to raise the same issue as Deputy Tóibín.
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No, it can go back to the Business Committee. I thought that I might have Deputies' co-operation. I am going to leave it there, as we are out of time. Deputies might realise that others do not get in when time runs over on both sides.
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I missed two meetings to be here for Questions on Promised Legislation.
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We need to look at a better system.