Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Before proceeding with the Bill, I understand the Chief Whip has a business proposal to put to us in respect of tomorrow.

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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In light of the very good progress that has been made with the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill this evening, and in light of the allocated time we have available for this Bill tomorrow, I propose that we give an extra hour to the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill tomorrow, which will bring it to two hours.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is that agreed?

Deputies:

No.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I must put the question.

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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On a point of order-----

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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No. I am calling the vote at this stage. I have already called it.

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Allow me some leeway. I do not always ask for it. This is unusual. There are well established protocols of the House such that the business of the House is organised through the Business Committee where everybody is represented equally. We are not particularly satisfied on this side of the House. In fact, we are not satisfied at all that the information brought to us by the Government Chief Whip was brought forward in this manner and without a meeting of the Business Committee to order the business before the House tomorrow. It is a point we want to make from this side of the House.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I make it clear that it is not at all uncommon for a proposal of this nature to be put to the House.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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At such a late hour. At 10.50 p.m. on a Thursday.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Whose fault is that? That is the Business Committee.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Shane Ross.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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What is proposed is to provide additional time for the House to consider a matter. It would be extraordinary in my view were the House to object to additional time to consider a particular proposal.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Reverse engines, lads, quick.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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As a member of the Business Committee, I think it is very strange also. We are normally consulted.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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That explains it.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Mattie McGrath is entitled to make his point.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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Will the Member up there get off the phone?

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I know it is late but I ask people to try to contain themselves.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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I am a member of the Business Committee where we have had cordial working relations. If there are changes to be made, phone calls are usually made or consultations will take place. This is being done at a late hour. I do not object to more time as we need lots more time on the Bill. However, the manner in which it is being done is unfair and shoddy. It smacks of dictatorship by the Minister, Deputy Ross, who is bullying the Government.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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There is a vote. How is that a dictatorship?

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Minister, Deputy Ross, had no hand, act or part in this particular matter.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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He was with the Chief Whip.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I have called the matter. The proposal on the Order of Business is for an additional hour to be provided tomorrow and on that matter a division has been challenged.