Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Senator has made his point. The difficulty is that this arrangement was agreed today by the Leader. The Acting Leader cannot change what the House agreed. Three times this morning, I asked about the times allowed and so on. One could also argue about how the Tánaiste only has five minutes to respond, which might seem like a short time, but my hands are tied and the Leader is not present to amend the arrangement. I cannot change it and, unfortunately, the Tánaiste has no discretion. When the House agreed this, no one said that people should have more or less time. When the Leader first spoke, he said that people would have eight minutes, but then that was reduced to six. No one said anything about it and Senators were quite happy to have the debate with one speaker from each group. I am sorry, Senator Craughwell.