Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I call Deputy Róisín Shortall to announce the Order of Business for the week and to make the proposals regarding the arrangements for the taking of that business.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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Today's Government business shall be No. 8, motion re Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2016, referral to committee without debate; No. 9, motion re change to Standing Order No. 29, to be taken without debate; No. 10, motion re seventh report of the Committee of Selection, to be taken without debate; expressions of sympathy on the death of Mr. Peter Barry; and No. 1, Statute Law Revision Bill 2016 [Seanad] - Second Stage. Private Members' business shall be No. 27, Flood Insurance Bill 2016 - Second Stage, introduced by Fianna Fáil.

Wednesday’s Government business shall be No. 17, Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2016, Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; No. 18, Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016 Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; and No. 1, Statute Law Revision Bill 2016 [Seanad] - Second Stage, resumed. Private Members’ business shall be No. 28, Secure Rent and Tenancies Bill 2016, Second Stage, introduced by Sinn Féin.

Thursday’s Government business shall be No. 1a, Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016 [Seanad]; No. 30, Prisons (Solitary Confinement) (Amendment) Bill 2016 - Second Stage which will be debated in the evening slot, followed by No. 31, Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016 - Second Stage.

In relation to today's business, there are four proposals. It is proposed that:

(1) the motions re the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2016, Referral to Committee, the change to Standing Order 29, and the seventh report of the Committee of Selection shall be taken without debate;

(2) Expressions of sympathy on the death of Peter Barry shall take place after the motions without debate following the Order of Business and shall be brought to a conclusion after 20 minutes, if not previously concluded, with each contribution not exceeding two minutes;

(3) Taoiseach’s Questions shall take place immediately following the expressions of sympathy; and

(4) Second Stage of the Flood Insurance Bill 2016 shall be brought to a conclusion, if not previously concluded, at 10 p.m.

In relation to Wednesday’s business there are two proposals. It is proposed that:

(1) There shall be no Taoiseach’s Questions and questions to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine shall take place after questions on promised legislation; and

(2) Second Stage of the Secure Rent and Tenancies Bill 2016 shall to be brought to a conclusion, if not previously concluded, at 6.30 p.m.

In relation to Thursday’s business, there is one proposal. It is proposed that the Dáil shall sit later than 7.48 p.m., to adjourn on the conclusion of proceedings on the Second Stage of the Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016, which shall take place for two hours following the Prisons (Solitary Confinement)(Amendment) Bill 2016 - Second Stage.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I have several proposals to put to the House. Is the proposal for dealing with Tuesday's business agreed to?

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I have a question. In the first draft of the Order of Business from the Business Committee I note that it was intended to have statements in the House today on the death of Mr. Fidel Castro, the former President of Cuba, but that has been deleted. Today is the day for recognising the contribution of Mr. Castro not only to the development of Cuba and its people but also internationally on many levels. Given that international figures are participating in ceremonies in Cuba today, it would be appropriate for us to reflect on his death and contribution. I appeal to the House that we do not let the day go by without ensuring that this is done. Whatever the reason behind the decision, and I hope it is only related to technical arrangements, if it cannot be facilitated today, though that is my appeal, I hope that it can be facilitated this week.

I seek clarification from the Taoiseach on same.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Barry, is your question on the proposal for Tuesday that I am putting before the House?

Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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It relates to the Order of Business for the week, so the Leas-Cheann Comhairle can take it now or later. I do not mind.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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We are just dealing with Tuesday's business at the moment. Does Deputy Shortall, on behalf of the Business Committee, have any comment to make, or the Government, on the question from Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin? If not, I will put the question.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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I have no information on the reason that was withdrawn.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The country will be represented at the funeral today in Havana by Ambassador Hyland, who is based in Mexico.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I think it is appropriate that the House records its sympathy to the people of Cuba, the ambassador, Hermes Herrera, and the President of Cuba, whose brother, the former President, has died. It was the intention of the Business Committee.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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It was not.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I would like an explanation as to why it was-----

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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If there is an opportunity, you will be able to expand on that. The Minister of State, Deputy Doherty, has indicated.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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The House should agree to proceed with what was clearly initially intended.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I will put the question after the Minister of State, Deputy Doherty, intervenes.

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Could I make a suggestion because I do not believe there was a clear intention yesterday? There was confusion among different people having different phone conversations, and a Business Committee meeting would be more appropriate to deal with this. Perhaps it could be added to the agenda on Thursday.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I am putting the question.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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On a point of order-----

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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What was proposed?

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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That it be discussed at the Business Committee.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Can I make a point before anybody discusses anything? Could we get the precedence and the protocols for what happens when leaders of state die?

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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Former leaders.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Former leaders. I am not aware of previous-----

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Perhaps the Business Committee-----

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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There is an important issue here. I can think of former leaders of other states who passed away about whom there would be uproar in here if attempts were made to debate those, and I am not casting any aspersions on-----

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Business Committee-----

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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There are protocols attached to votes of sympathy that are long standing in the House. We need to establish those. We cannot make them up on a whim. It is my understanding that this happened after the Business Committee met.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Business Committee has a brief for proposing the Order of Business and the Minister of State, Deputy Doherty, has suggested that the Business Committee would consider this, look at the protocols-----

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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With respect, I have suggested that the House would consider this proposal because clearly, and Members will have a copy of the Business Committee's proposal, it was decided and it has since been deleted. I propose-----

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Are you proposing an amendment to No. 1?

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Certainly. I do believe-----

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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And your amendment is-----

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I believe that contributions on the death of Fidel Castro, who was a figure of major international importance and a friend of Ireland, and irrespective of the opinions of Members-----

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Ó Caoláin, it is very clear. If you want to propose an amendment, propose an amendment and I will put it to the House.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Shortall, unless you have some proposal relating to the Business Committee, I am moving on.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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I have. A new procedure was agreed at the Business Committee last week where there was disagreement among the parties on the taking of business. It was proposed that there would be telephone contact between the Members the night before and if agreement could not be reached, a meeting of the Business Committee would be convened the following morning. I suggest that rather than dividing the House on this issue, we seek to reach agreement on it this evening, bearing in mind the suggestion made by Deputy Martin, and that we seek to resolve this matter tomorrow morning.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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So the Business Committee will take the opportunity of considering it this evening.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Rather than divide the House, I am willing to accept that the Business Committee will reconsider the proposition and I hope it would strongly take on board my commendation. I am sure the view is reflected by many in this House that the death of Fidel Castro should be appropriately recorded in this House.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Having consideration to the suggestions from the Minister of State and Deputy Shortall, is the proposal for dealing with Tuesday's business agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with Wednesday's business agreed to?

Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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There are more leaks coming from the expert water commission than can be found in the entire water system for the country.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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This is not a Second Stage debate on leaks. We are not here to consider leaks - that might be a pun.

Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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The question that I wish to ask is this.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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There are expert leakers.

Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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Given the level of leaking that is taking place and given the level of public concern at what is being said, can we agree that the Business Committee would discuss on Thursday the idea of setting aside time next week for a full discussion in the House on the water charges issue?

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Barry has a representative on the Business Committee and I am sure she will raise that.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I might help the Leas-Cheann Comhairle here. As a result of the situation that applies, the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Coveney, has informed me that this report will be published early this evening and will go directly to the specific committee set up in the Oireachtas to deal with it.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Taoiseach for that helpful intervention. In view of that, is the proposal for dealing with Wednesday's business agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with Thursday's business agreed to? Agreed.