Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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I move:

That Seanad Éireann:

(a) notes that the Treaty on European Union recognises the active contribution of National Parliaments to the good functioning of the Union through being informed and having the ability to express their views on matters of particular interest to them;

(b) in view of the economic, political and social implications for Ireland of the decision of the United Kingdom to withdraw from the European Union as notified under Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union on 29th March, 2017, considers that members of the Houses of the Oireachtas should be enabled to express their views and be informed on this issue of significant national importance;

(c) resolves therefore that the Seanad shall sit in Joint Committee with Dáil Éireann on Thursday 11th May, 2017, at 11.30 a.m., for the purpose of an exchange of views with Mr. Michel Barnier, Chief Negotiator of the Taskforce for the Preparation and Conduct of Negotiations with the United Kingdom.

(2) The following arrangements shall apply:

(a) the Ceann Comhairle shall be the Chairman and shall adjourn the proceedings immediately following the Cathaoirleach’s concluding statement;

(b) the proceedings shall be as follows: (i) 11.30 a.m. – Ceann Comhairle’s opening statement;

(ii) 11.34 a.m. – statement by Mr Barnier;

(iii) 11.54 a.m. – statements from members in the following order, and to which the following time limits shall apply:

- Government – 12 minutes,

- Fianna Fáil – 10 minutes,

- Sinn Féin – 8 minutes,

- the Labour Party, Solidarity-People Before Profit (Sol-PBP), Independents 4 Change, the Rural Independent Group, the Social Democrats-Green Party Group, the Seanad Independent Group, and the Seanad Civil Engagement Group – 3 minutes each, and members may share time; and

(iv) 12.45 p.m. – Cathaoirleach’s concluding statement.”