2025-11-18

You will be aware there is a change. I call on the Government Chief Whip, Deputy Mary Butler, to deliver the business proposal.

I move: That notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, the proposed arrangements as set out in the first Revised Report of the Business Committee are hereby agreed to.

I thank the Chief Whip. Are the proposed arrangements agreed to?

Not agreed.

Deputies, that is absolutely fine. I propose we go with the system of 30 seconds for each Member wishing to speak.

Does this Government learn nothing? We had the absolute farce and spectacle of the Lowry Independents being in government and in opposition and all that led to, and here we are today with Leaders' Questions, Questions on Policy or Legislation and Taoiseach's Questions gone. The Government is absolutely scrapping accountability today. Just at the stroke of pen, it is scrapping accountability. There is no talk about business committees any more because the Government does what it wants to do. It never learns and it makes a farce of democracy in the House. We are absolutely opposed to this. The Government never learns and it is making a mess of this place again.

Hear, hear.

Notwithstanding the situation the Government has found itself in again, there is no excuse for us not to have Leaders' Questions and not to have Questions on Policy or Legislation. The accountability deficit the Government is committed to is continuing yet again. We are utterly against this change to the Order of Business.

There is absolutely no reason for the Government to abandon questions to the Taoiseach and accountability by the leader of the country today. Why is the Taoiseach not taking questions as he should be today? Just because of events, it should not mean abandoning Leaders' Questions and Questions on Policy or Legislation. There is no reason for the Taoiseach not to take questions.

It is pretty shameless of the Government to use the occasion of Paschal Donohoe moving on in the world to avoid answering questions today. I also want to say that the statements on paediatric care must be made into questions and answers. We pushed for this at the Business Committee. There has been a long push for a statutory inquiry into the care of children with scoliosis and spina bifida. I understand a memo was meant to go to Cabinet today. People were led to believe it was going to be signed off on but I have heard it was not signed off on at Cabinet today.

Thank you.

It was signed off on. Okay. I ask that we have questions in relation to that.

The issue was dealt with at Cabinet.

I do not agree with the change to the Order of Business today. An agreement was made last Thursday, as always. Leaders' Questions and Questions on Policy or Legislation deal with important issues, such as housing and so many matters of deep concern, and they need to be discussed today. Of course, there is also moving the writ for Galway West and now for Dublin Central. We cannot continue here week in, week out without this being discussed. I would appreciate that we have statements on it today.

These are exceptional circumstances on the nomination of Members of Government.

Allow the courtesy of a response. Please, Deputies.

The revised schedule accommodates this and ensures we continue with Dáil business, and the Taoiseach will take his questions tomorrow instead of today.