Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

As Sinn Féin Whip, I attended yesterday's meeting where it was agreed that the debate would continue until 3.30 p.m. today and, in the event that there were speakers who wished to contribute, the debate would be ordered to resume next week, with an opportunity for a question-and-answer session involving the Minister to be held at that stage. The problem is that the Government has not put forward any speakers and the debate is on the verge of collapse. Business was not ordered in the proper way today to allow for an adjournment of proceedings until next week. What is needed is a supplementary order from the Government Chief Whip to allow for an adjournment of the debate to adjourn today in order that we can return for the question-and-answer session next week.

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