Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Clerk of the Seanad, the acting Clerk Assistant of the Seanad, the Superintendent of the Houses and staff of the Oireachtas for arranging this sitting of the House. Some renovations had to take place and the cameras had to be put back in place. I thank the staff who worked hard at the weekend to get the Chamber back in order.

Under the powers conferred on me by Standing Order 22(2) of the Standing Orders of Seanad Éireann Relative to Public Business, I summoned Seanad Éireann to meet today, 31 July 2014, at 2 p.m. for the purpose of taking statements on the situation in Gaza and Ukraine. Under Standing Orders, business is confined to the subject matter set out in the summons, dated 29 July 2014, specifically No. 1 on the Order Paper. No other items of business can be taken. I call the Leader to propose the arrangements for the taking of No. 1.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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No. 1 is statements on the situation in Gaza and Ukraine, with contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Is that agreed?

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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It is welcome that the Leader has allowed additional time for leaders and the spokespersons of each group. The situations in Gaza and Ukraine are crucial and have effectively turned into human tragedies. Therefore, I would have thought-----

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Is the Senator asking about the time allocated?

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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I am making a proposal, that additional time be allocated to other speakers, as five minutes is very short for Members to get their points across. It is welcome that spokespersons will have eight minutes, but allowing five minutes in a special sitting is insufficient.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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As quite a number of Members have indicated that they wish to speak, I cannot allow this to continue. Therefore, I will put the question, "That the time limits set by the Leader be agreed to," unless he wishes to change them.

David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)
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On a point of order, how much speaking time has Sinn Féin been allocated? The Leader mentioned spokesperson. Will the Sinn Féin spokesperson have eight minutes or five?

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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Sinn Féin Senators will have five minutes, the same as any other Senator.

David Norris (Independent)
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The Sinn Féin spokesperson should have eight minutes. That is only fair.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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I will ask the Leader if he wishes to make a change.

Averil Power (Fianna Fail)
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On a point of order, given the seriousness of the issues we have returned to the House to debate, it is ridiculous to limit contributions to five minutes. That debases the importance of the issues and means that we will be reduced to soundbites. It is totally ridiculous; let us do our job properly.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Many Members have indicated-----

Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)
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On a point of order, will the Leader indicate whether everybody in the House will be given an opportunity to speak and at what time does he expect the debate to finish?

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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It is open-ended. I asked the Leader if he wished to change the proposal and will now put the question, "That the arrangements, as outlined by the Leader, be agreed to."

David Norris (Independent)
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May we have an answer to the question whether the Sinn Féin spokesperson will have eight minutes?

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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The Leader has stated the time allocated is five minutes. Are the arrangements agreed to?

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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I hope the House will not divide on this issue and that we will be allowed to get on with our business.

David Norris (Independent)
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Having a vote is a waste of time.