Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party) | Oireachtas source

The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association, the ICSA and the Irish Rural Association are today protesting about GAEC 2 at Agriculture House. If this is not stopped, it will mean more regulations acting against Irish farmers. They need an urgent meeting with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Instead of giving these genuine farmers debate time today, I am asking the Taoiseach to meet with Opposition leaders to talk about the speaking row in this Dáil. Last week, Dáil reform became Dáil dictation. After four hours of what we felt to be progress, this document of destruction was waved at us. After some confusion, a vote was called. If we are honest, that was always on the cards that night. On the one hand, the Taoiseach wants to give the Lowry group eight minutes of extra time on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and six minutes on Thursdays for priority questions. He says that they and Government TDs have a right to speak. On the other hand, in the same document, it is proposed to change Standing Order 48 so that Government and Opposition questions to the Taoiseach will take place for only 45 minutes a week instead of twice a week. Can we meet with the Taoiseach at the end of this day to discuss this matter and to try to bring it to a proper conclusion?

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