Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Just answer the question.

A Cheann Comhairle-----

Under Standing Order 35(3), I am entitled to propose an amendment to the Order of Business.

I propose that we suspend the Dáil and convene an urgent meeting of the Business Committee to deal with the outrageous proposition that the Dáil will not return next week and that 39 TDs in Sinn Féin will be allocated ten minutes - the same as your Government's group in opposition. Michael Lowry is a member of the Opposition.

Michael Lowry stood outside this building and said "We will support the Government in the good days and the bad", with all seven of them, and he is a member of the Opposition. For God's sake.

You are making a mockery of democracy here. The Taoiseach to come and the Taoiseach right now-----

-----designed this situation today. They have it within their power to resolve this issue. The technical groups should have speaking rights from the Government side. That is where they belong.

I am proposing that we suspend the Dáil now.

That is my proposal.

There will be 30 minutes for a meeting and 15 minutes to consult with our parties so it will be 45 minutes.

There was no agreement made.

Outrageous, absolutely outrageous. There was no agreement to Michael Lowry as an Opposition TD.

Just to congratulate you.

It is not agreed, a Cheann Comhairle.

As the Ceann Comhairle knows, the Whips met last night and the Opposition whips made it clear that we felt the Dáil should reconvene, as is normal after the Christmas recess, on 15 January. That is plenty of time; it is four full weeks from now. It is, therefore, unacceptable to suggest we come back on 22 January. People are crying out for leadership. They are crying out for solutions to their pro…