Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

I wish to raise two issues. The first relates to the Order of Business today. Yesterday, people protested against the M3 motorway outside the office of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. A spokesperson on the Minister's behalf stated he could not meet them because he was preparing for parliamentary questions today. Did they fall off the schedule? I do not believe he is due to answer until October.

The second matter concerns the Bill to increase the number of people who may serve as Ministers of State. I notice an explanatory memorandum was not circulated with the Bill. According to the Cabinet handbook, an explanatory and financial memorandum is not only necessary in the case of major Bills but is a mandatory requirement in the case of Government Bills other than consolidation Bills.

This Bill is listed for tomorrow and there is no explanatory memorandum or commentary as regards the cost of this measure which seeks to increase the number of Ministers of State. When one adds chairpersons of committees, anybody in Fianna Fáil who does not get one or the other will need counselling given the number of positions we will create. Before we start the debate I wish to know whether an explanatory memorandum will be circulated.

See this speech in context