Verona Murphy

You did. I am sorry; I was distracted. I would like to welcome a member of the Down's syndrome community, Declan Moran, who is here with Deputy Albert Dolan. You are very welcome, Declan.

We have 15 to 16 minutes left. There are 20 Deputies to speak on the next question. I propose to divide the time remaining after the Taoiseach's opening statement between a number of Deputies.

The Taoiseach will have to try to be brief.

I propose to take the first six Deputies and to allow the Taoiseach six minutes to respond.

I appreciate that. The Taoiseach has the message.

Before the Taoiseach replies, could he maybe answer the other Deputies in writing? Sixteen Deputies did not get to ask questions. They might get some form of response from the Taoiseach.

Only if the Taoiseach needs less time. We cannot go over the 45 minutes provided.

I am bound by the timelines set down.

Yes.

I am talking about the Deputies who have not have not got in.

I know, but that is it.

The Taoiseach should go ahead. I suppose it is just a casualty of how interruptions affect the course of questions. To be fair, the Taoiseach cannot answer a question that has not been asked. We are delaying the answering process.

No. We cannot go over time. I do not set the time. I do not have that discretion.

There are 15 Deputies left.

Please, Deputy Ó Murchú.

I thank the Taoiseach. Even though there is time left, the point is that this format is not working. The place to discuss that is at the Business Committee on Thursday. I ask Members to bring it up and we can sort out something else. Certainly, where there is a grouping of 19 Members, it is not possible to give the Taoiseach time to answer in the remaining time. I am sorry for those who did not ge…

Members have been asking about when the voting block will be. It is not anticipated before midnight and there probably will be further divisions on amendments to this Bill. Deputies should keep any eye on proceedings.

Amendment No. 13 arises out of committee proceedings. Amendments Nos. 13 to 15, inclusive, are related. Amendment No. 14 is a physical alternative to amendment No. 13. Amendment No. 15 is a logical alternative to amendment No. 13. Amendments Nos. 13 to 15, inclusive, will be discussed together.

As amendment No. 13 is agreed to, amendments Nos. 14 and 15 cannot be moved.

Amendment No. 16 in the names of Deputies Cian O'Callaghan, Doherty and Farrell has been declared out of order.

Amendment No. 17 arises out of committee proceedings. Amendments Nos. 17 and 18 are related and will be discussed together.

The Deputy's time is up.

Deputy Gould, your time is up. We have a long night ahead of us. Before the Tánaiste speaks, I will ask Deputies to stay on point. This is an amendment they are speaking to.

It is an amendment and not an opportunity for general cross-party questioning.

Amendments Nos. 22 and 23 have been ruled out of order.