Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)

The Whips meet every Tuesday and deal with requests from Departments and the Opposition from matters that arise in the House and put together, as best they can, a programme for the week. The practice has developed now where, during the week, Ministers who are not keeping their eye on the ball are putting down motions for debate which they expect to be rubber-stamped in the Chamber without any notice. No. 8c on today's Order Paper has been on the Minister's desk since 25 July but it must be dealt with today as a matter of urgency.

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