Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The Order of Business today shall be as follows: No. 12, statements on European Council, Brussels; and No. 1, Sea Pollution (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003 [Seanad] — Second Stage. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the proceedings on No. 12 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 80 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply: the statements shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 60 minutes and the statements of the Taoiseach and the main spokespersons from the Fine Gael Party, the Labour Party and the Technical Group shall be called upon in that order and shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case. Members may share time. Immediately following the statements, the Taoiseach shall take questions for a period not exceeding 20 minutes. Private Members' business shall be No. 33, Motion re: Confidence in the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

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