Order of Business
The Leader outlines the day’s business, and clarifies that the human-trafficking debate will be adjourned at 5 p.m., with the Minister replying earlier if necessary.
The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding arrangements for an address to the House by Pat "The Cope" Gallagher, MEP, on 25 April 2013; No. 2, National Lottery Bill 2012 - Second Stage, to be taken at the conclusion of No. 1 and adjourned not later than 2 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed six minutes; No. 3, Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) (Amendment) Bill 2013 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to be taken at 3 p.m. and adjourned, if not previously concluded, not later than 5 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed six minutes and the Minister to be called on to reply to the debate not later than 4.50 p.m.; and No. 4, Private Members' business, Financial Stability and Reform Bill 2013 - Second Stage, to be taken at 5 p.m. and conclude not later than 7 p.m.
For the information of the House, I advise that next week, in advance of Europe Week which falls in the second week of May, we will continue with our addresses from Irish MEPs. We will have Mr. Seán Kelly, MEP, here on Tuesday, Ms Nessa Childers, MEP, on Wednesday and Ms Marian Harkin, MEP, on Thursday. On Wednesday, 8 May, we will welcome the Irish Commissioner in Europe, Mrs. Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, to the House.
Comment on this
On a point of clarification, the Leader said No. 3 would be taken at 3 p.m. and was to be adjourned.
He then stated the Minister was to be called on to reply to the debate not later than 4.50 p.m. If there is a reply to the debate, will it be concluded rather than adjourned? Is it proposed to have an open-ended debate?
Comment on this
No, it will not be open-ended. It will be adjourned at 5 p.m., but if we do not have sufficient speakers, the Minister obviously must reply at 4.50 p.m.