Dáil debates

Tuesday, 10 November 2020

Sittings and Business of Dáil: Motion

 

2:00 pm

Photo of Pádraig Mac LochlainnPádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The issue of late sittings is one we are working to resolve. I hope that soon we will not be sitting later than 10 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. That is a shared concerned across the Houses.

Sinn Féin Private Members' time tonight is Opposition speaking time of two hours' duration during which the Government would normally have 20 minutes' speaking time. I have received official notification from the Oireachtas authorities that this cannot now go ahead. Intentionally, the Government's confidence motion is aimed at tripling its speaking time, from 20 minutes to 63 minutes, and halving the Opposition's speaking time, from 100 minutes to 50 minutes. It triples the Government's speaking time and halves the Opposition's speaking time. That is the intent of the Government motion. The House will not sit until 1 a.m. but will wrap up at approximately 11 p.m. I want to make an official protest about that move.

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