Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I am not objecting to it but I want to ask the Taoiseach a question arising from it. This proposed arrangement is to allow for a half hour debate on the broadcasting levy order. This is the levy Deputy McManus has raised on a number of occasions which is to apply essentially to the private broadcasting sector. Deputy McManus had tabled a motion to the effect that this order should be annulled and in a discussion at the Oireachtas committee last week it was agreed on an all-party basis that it should be annulled. When the schedule for last week was circulated to us initially time was set aside for this matter to be dealt with but then a second schedule was subsequently circulated which had withdrawn it. I am curious as to why, it having been agreed that it would be debated, it was then withdrawn. Who asked for it to be withdrawn? Was it at the Taoiseach's initiative or was it requested by some Minister?

I am disappointed that the motion the Government has tabled on this issue is not a motion annulling the order but one simply noting it. Deputy McManus has an amendment to that motion which we will vote on at 7.30 p.m. but even at this late stage I ask the Taoiseach to reconsider the Government's position on this matter and to agree to the motion that this order should be annulled.

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