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Dáil
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Reserved speaking slots

Summary

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.

Catherine Connolly An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Independent

I am just letting in the next two leaders and then the Taoiseach can answer all three.

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Catherine Connolly An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Independent

I cannot hear a word from the Minister of State, I am sorry. He will have to use the microphone.

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Jack Chambers Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach Fianna Fáil

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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I just want to-----

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Catherine Connolly An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Independent

No, resume your seat for a moment.

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They are reserved slots.

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Catherine Connolly An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Independent

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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Catherine Connolly An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Independent

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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Catherine Connolly An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Independent

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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Catherine Connolly An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Independent

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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Catherine Connolly An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Independent

I am really sorry.

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We need to look at a better system.

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Catherine Connolly An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Independent

You are wasting time, Deputy. I really tried my best to facilitate. Deputies should go back to the Business Committee. The time is up. I am really sorry for those who have been waiting patiently.

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