Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

That is a fact following the EU-IMF bailout signed up to by the previous Government.

With regard to next week's debate with the EU President, we have 30 minutes of his time and it will be impossible to facilitate every Member asking a question. The CPP came to the agreement that the group leaders would ask questions for two minutes, the President will make a 15-minute presentation and the Leas-Chathaoirleach will sum up. The said gentleman will appear before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Union Affairs after that.

Senators Keane, Gilroy and D'Arcy raised the issue of the duration of the Order of Business. This time allocation was increased during the previous Seanad. It used to last 45 minutes and this was increased to 55 minutes at the request of the vast majority of Members. If that view has changed, I would like to know. Three Members feel the duration should be reduced to 30 minutes. If a majority of Members favour that, let us hear it. I am willing to act on behalf of the membership but the previous Seanad complained there was insufficient time for the Order of Business. I cannot be all things to all men. I will do what the majority of Members want in that regard and I welcome comments from Members.