Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

It is proposed to take No. 26a — Budget Statement and financial motions by the Minister for Finance at the conclusion of questions to members of the Government.

It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. tonight and the motion for the General Financial Resolution shall be moved not later than 12 midnight whereupon business shall then be interrupted and the Dáil shall adjourn forthwith; following the Budget Statement of the Minister for Finance, the following arrangements shall apply in respect of the proceedings on No. 26a — the statements of the main spokespersons for the Fine Gael Party and the Labour Party shall not exceed 45 minutes in each case, the statements of the main spokespersons for the Green Party, Sinn Féin and the Independent Members of the Technical Group shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case and the statements shall be confined to the main spokespersons in each case; following the statements, the sitting shall be suspended for 30 minutes; and all divisions demanded on No. 26a shall be taken manually. Private Members' business shall be No. 68, motion re An Post (resumed), to be taken at 12 noon and to conclude after 90 minutes, if not previously concluded.

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