Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on the Report on Certain Issues of Management and Administration in the Department of Health and Children Associated with the Practice of Charges for Persons in Long-Stay Care in Health Board Institutions and Related Matters, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude not later than 1.30 p.m., with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed 12 minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed eight minutes. The Minister is to be called upon to reply not later than five minutes before the end of the statements.

While I am on that point, perhaps I might say something, with the permission of the Cathaoirleach. The Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, is coming to the House to take this debate, but she is also taking the Order of Business in the Lower House. It is therefore possible that there will be a gap between the conclusion of the Order of Business in this House and her finishing the Order of Business in the Lower House. I wish to alert the Seanad to that matter and hope Members will accept that if she is in the middle of answering some point in the Lower House, she must finish it before she comes here, and that there will be nothing unprofessional if we must suspend for five or ten minutes.

No. 2 is the Health (Amendment) Bill 2005 — Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken at 2.30 p.m. and to conclude not later than 4.30 p.m.; and No. 3, motion for earlier signature of the Health (Amendment) Bill 2005, to be taken immediately without debate on the conclusion of No. 2., if the latter is passed by the House. One cannot have an earlier signature motion if the Bill is not passed. There will be a sos from 1.30 p.m. to 2.30 p.m.