Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

It is proposed to take No. 21a, statements on the Lisbon treaty. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the proceedings on No. 21a shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 7 p.m. and the following arrangements shall apply: the statement of the Taoiseach and of the leaders of the Fine Gael Party, the Labour Party, the Green Party, Sinn Féin and the Progressive Democrats, or a Member nominated in his or her stead, who shall be called upon in that order, shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case; the statement of each other Member called upon shall not exceed ten minutes in each case; Members may share time; and immediately following the statements, a Minister or Minister of State shall take questions for a period not exceeding 30 minutes. Private Members' business shall be No. 45, motion re increase in the number of sitting days, resumed, to conclude at 8.30 p.m. if not previously concluded.

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