Joe O'Toole (Independent)

We should do one or the other. Ministers are used to time limits, just like everybody else. It should be, say, a 15 minute slot, or else the time taken by a Minister should be added to the two hours allocated for Private Members' time.

I gently correct the Leader, as there is a slight contradiction in what was proposed. He said Committee and Remaining Stages of the Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 would be taken this afternoon. The House will recall that at the leaders' meeting it was agreed time would be allowed for Report Stage. The Leader has indicated the debate may not conclude at 5 p.m. It has been said that if Committee Stage does not conclude by 5 p.m., it will be resumed. However, if it finishes before 5 p.m., will the Leader confirm that we will come back to take Report Stage at a later date? There are issues of huge importance to the people, including in the Leader's area, in which postal deliveries in rural areas is a major issue.