Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)

As I indicated on the previous issue, the Labour Party will not agree to the Order of Business until changes are made to the Government proposal for dealing with the social welfare Bill. For example, the format for the Bill as proposed minimises the possibility of this House debating the various sections on Committee Stage. It is designed to minimise it. We will be asking the Government Chief Whip and the Government to change that format to allow a proper Committee Stage debate on Friday, even in the limited time that is available. We cannot agree to the current proposal. We were assured that the Bill would be taken next week. The unions were not the only ones that were deceived by the Government last week. We were misled in that regard as well. We need flexibility from the Ceann Comhairle on Standing Order 123 or there will be no debate on the Bill.

Question, "That the proposal for dealing with No. 41a be agreed to", put and declared carried.

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