Budget 2021 provided an indicative increase of €1.779 million for cross-Border co-operation in the languages sector. This includes funding of €450,000 for commitments made by the Southern Government under New Decade, New Approach. The 2021 allocation, which is subject to further discussion with the Department for Communities in the North and the Deputy's colleague there, and to approval by the North South Ministerial Council, would allow Foras na Gaeilge, one of the agencies of An Foras Teanga, expand its language …

In line with the 20-year strategy for the Irish language and Foras na Gaeilge's understanding of best practice in promoting the Irish language it is recognised that there should be an emphasis on long-term, strategic language planning. Preliminary consultation meetings were held by Foras na Gaeilge, in conjunction with Conradh na Gaeilge and Glór na nGael, with stakeholders in 2019. Other preliminary meetings were held in June this year, which were attended by more than 80 people, on the recommendations of a consul…

In my previous answer I gave clarity on that. There will be ongoing engagement with Foras na Gaeilge in the long-term planning process. As I said, the Department is providing separate support for Scéim Pobal Gaeilge. We are being thorough around that. We have to align it to the 20-year language planning process but in the context of workers and language planning officers, we are trying to retain, enhance and expand that concept across the country, particularly in Gaeltacht areas, some of which are in the Deputy's c…

No.

No.

No.

I move: That the proposal that Dáil Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2020, copies of which were laid in draft form before Dáil Éireann on 13th November, 2020, be referred to the Joint Committee on Agriculture and the Marine, in accordance with Standing Order 95(5), which, not later than 25th November, 2020, shall send a message to the Dáil in the manner prescribed in Standing Order 101, and Standing Order 100(2) shall accordingly apply.

No.

No.

I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on the Irish Language, Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community, pursuant to Standing Orders 95(3)( a ) and 181(1).

I move: It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders or in the Order of the Dáil of 22nd October, 2020, that the sitting be now suspended for 90 minutes, and on the resumption, the sitting shall continue in the Convention Centre Dublin on North Wall Quay, Dublin 1, whereupon Leaders' Questions shall be taken in accordance with Standing Order 36.

It is important we reiterate the facts around this. At the Business Committee last Thursday, Sinn Féin proposed a motion on social protection and was very clear and explicit about that. It then allowed the Dáil to adjourn - to reconvene at 2 p.m. today, Tuesday - without informing or giving notice to all colleagues and other parties that it was intending to table a motion of no confidence. Those are the facts. Sinn Féin slipped the motion of no confidence in at the last minute, knowing that this would necessitate a…

If I can be allowed to-----

I know Deputy Mattie McGrath respects democracy and the capacity of this House to make decisions on its rules, which is underpinned by the Constitution.

We have set out the speaking time today, in line with what was agreed in the context of Dáil reform and with what the House agreed. That is what we are doing. There is no factual basis to what the Deputy.

To respond to Deputy Michael Healy-Rae, I agree that we need to conduct business in a more family-friendly fashion. We are working across parties to change the current position on late sittings, but that requires the co-operation of the Opposition. When the Opposition comes in here and calls votes, even though the Government has made concessions, that adds 30 minutes to the day of the staff. We have had threats from the Opposition-----

-----to the effect that regardless of what concessions we make, or what we agree to, it will call a vote on every matter.

That has been the custom and practice since July. I respect the Business Committee and I have tried to work in a constructive way with everybody. We have made concessions on lots of matters, including in terms of speaking time and in bringing Ministers before the House. Last week, for example, we suggested a change to the proposed business to increase speaking time by up to 50% for the Opposition in the debate on the Tánaiste. However, the Opposition voted against the increase in speaking time just because of game-…

It is very clear. The Opposition argued over one minute last week. We want to be constructive.

The factual position is that the vote on a confidence motion cannot take place in the Dáil Chamber. That is underpinned by the public health guidance. I think everyone supports that. As a result, business must be transacted in the convention centre and that is what we are voting on today. I ask those who oppose that proposal to outline their solution. In the interests of staff and of ensuring-----