Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I move:

That, notwithstanding anything in the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, unless otherwise ordered, the following arrangements shall apply in relation to any meeting of the Seanad on Thursday, 2nd February, 2023: (a) the ordinary routine of business shall be interrupted no later than 1.15 p.m., and the sitting of the Seanad shall stand adjourned until 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 8th February, 2023;

(b) at 2 p.m., the Seanad shall be enjoined with Dáil Éireann to constitute a joint sitting of both Houses of the Oireachtas in the Dáil chamber for the purpose of an address by Her Excellency Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, followed by statements;

(c) the joint sitting shall be chaired by the Ceann Comhairle;

(d) the proceedings at the joint sitting shall be as follows:

(i) the Ceann Comhairle shall make an opening statement, followed by the address by President Metsola;

(ii) following President Metsola’s address, statements may be made in the following order and with the following arrangements:

(I) the Taoiseach  5 minutes;

(II) the Tánaiste  4 minutes;

(III) the leader of the Green Party  4 minutes;

(IV) the leader of Sinn Féin  5 minutes;

(V) the leaders or a representative of the Labour Party, Social Democrats, People Before Profit-Solidarity, the Regional Group, the Rural Independent Group, the Independent Group, the Seanad Independent Group and the Seanad Civil Engagement Group – 3 minutes per party or group; and

(VI) members may share time;

and

(iii) the Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann shall make a concluding statement;

(e) on the conclusion of the Cathaoirleach’s statement, the Ceann Comhairle shall adjourn the joint sitting;

(f) the protocol and seating plan for the joint sitting shall be as agreed by the Dáil Business Committee and the Seanad Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight.