2025-10-02

It is now close to 12 o'clock. I understand there is a proposal to change our business schedule and I now call on the Government Chief Whip to outline same.

I propose: Notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders or in Tuesday’s Order of Business, the following is proposed in relation to today’s business: - on Leaders’ Questions, two members of each party or technical group in Opposition may use their time for Q&A, and the order of speaking and allocation of time shall be as follows:- - Tánaiste - 10 minutes; - Sinn Féin - 15 minutes; and - Social Democrats, Independent and Parties Technical Group, Independent Technical Group and the Labour Party – 12 minutes per party or group; and - Questions on Policy or Legislation shall not be taken today, and the lunchtime SOS shall take place on the conclusion of Other Members’ Questions. This is in order to discuss the situation in relation to the flotilla and the fact that nine Irish people are currently detained involuntarily.

Is that agreed? Agreed.