I thank the Deputy, but we are over time.

Deputy, we are running out of time.

There are four Members left on the list, but only three of them are in the Chamber. With their co-operation and the co-operation of the Tánaiste, I will use my discretion and allow the three Deputies to each ask questions for 30 seconds and take one response from the Tánaiste. Otherwise the Deputies will not be reached and their contributions will move to next week.

It is significant that we do not have a copy of the Minister of State's speech. He appears to have a detailed speech and he made a robust defence of what he is doing but we do not have a copy of it. I have less than two minutes. I looked at the facts and I prepared a speech, but I do not have time to deliver it. I am really tired of what the Taoiseach told us yesterday, which is typical of him, that we must get the country moving, as if we do not want the country to move. He also told us that we are leading to a pa…

There is one backbencher. That is very good. There is no opportunity to speak. Let me look at what is happening here. I went to the consultation the Minister of State lauded in his speech. I thought it was appalling. It was an excuse for consultation. I attended it in a certain hotel on the Renmore Road in Galway. The imbalance of power was palpable. The Minister of State is asking us to rush through a framework that will set the entire agenda for the Bill that will come before us with the marine protected areas ex…

Is the motion agreed?

In accordance with Standing Order 80(2), the division is postponed until the next weekly division time.

Is this Minister of State taking this debate?

You can all chair if you like. I am simply asking if the Minister of State is here for this topic.

You are not answering, but you are here for this topic.

Deputy Sean Sherlock is clearly in possession and ready to go.

In case there is any misunderstanding, the Regional Group's slot will come up in due course. I now call on Deputy Cairns for the Social Democrats.

I understand the Sinn Féin slot is being shared by a number of Deputies, commencing with Deputy Stanley.

Glaoim ar an Aire.

With respect, the Deputy has ten minutes to make a statement. This is not an interactive process.

Lean ar aghaidh, Deputy.

I thought that was Thursday's business, which is why I was waiting, but now that the issue has been raised, I want to add my voice. It is totally unacceptable that the Government is doing this. Initially, it was to be a motion without debate but it was then changed to provide for a debate of less than an hour on a matter as important as this. I must call this out for what it is. It is simply a case of the Government ramming things through without consultation. If the Government has got itself into trouble in relati…

This is the business for Thursday so I am taking this opportunity to say that I object in the strongest possible terms to this going through. The Taoiseach's answers up to now have been weak and unacceptable. He spoke about a paralysis. The only paralysis relates to an absence of debate and reasoned opinion from all Deputies. It is our job to scrutinise this marine planning framework. It would be helpful if the Taoiseach was listening to us. I know it is difficult, but this our the only opportunity to raise matters…

Is the Bill opposed?

Since this is a Private Members' Bill, Second Stage must, under Standing Orders, be taken in Private Members' time.