Thursday pairing arrangement
The Cathaoirleach noted that arrangements had been made to provide a Minister in the House on Thursdays so the chamber would no longer be left without legislation or debate.
Before I ask if the Order of Business is agreed, I acknowledge the Leader and the others who resolved the problem we had on Thursdays where we normally had no legislation or debate in this Chamber because of the voting system in the Dáil. I understand that the Independent Alliance Deputies and Deputy Mattie McGrath in particular have agreed to provide a pair for whatever Minister is needed in this House for that period. There was a lacuna on Thursdays from 12.30 p.m. to about 2.15 p.m. because the Ministers were all tied up in the Dáil. That has been temporarily and hopefully permanently resolved so that we can get on with the business. I would like to acknowledge that.