Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)

The Labour Party will not agree to any Order of Business until the format proposed by the Government for the social welfare Bill is changed. The format as proposed excludes the possibility of dealing with the Bill as set out under Standing Orders. For example, under Standing Order 123 which deals with amendments, amendments to the social welfare Bill, if it is to be taken as indicated by Government, should have been lodged in the Ceann Comhairle's office or the questions office at 11 a.m. on Tuesday last. That is not a possibility. Will the Ceann Comhairle be flexible in accepting amendments to the social welfare Bill and will he accept amendments up to and during Committee Stage of the Bill, given the proposal from the Government? The Labour Party will not agree to this. The only reason the social welfare Bill will not be taken as promised to the Whips - that is, next week - is the fear of the Government that its backbenchers will falter under the weight of public opinion arising from what is in the Bill.

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