Is Deputy Peter Burke, as the Government Whip, in a position to advise us?

As I understand it both Houses would need to move a motion but each House is individually responsible for its own business.

I do not think it is helpful for us-----

In response to the point that has been raised legitimately as to whether there is precedent for this, we have not been able to establish that there is such a precedent. Is there any reason we cannot do it? We have legal advice to suggest that the device being proposed is legitimate. I put the question at yesterday's meeting of the Business Committee, "Are we safe to proceed as outlined?" The answer to that, from the Oireachtas service, was "Yes, we are safe, moving forward, as proposed by the Government." However, …

There is a difficulty with that because, as the Deputy well knows, it is the business of Government to order business in Government time. The House might amend the Government arrangements, but the Government is the determiner of what is transacted in Government time so we cannot tell the Government to take this matter away. Members could move that there be a debate on the motion and that it be taken subject to debate. I am in Members' hands. The proposal is whether we are agreed on the schedule of business outlined…

We still have to decide now on Thursday's business. The Business Committee has discussed this on several occasions.

It has agreed so, with Deputy Ó Snodaigh's dissent, it is fair to say, from the very outset, but no dissent from anybody else. The Government is proposing to proceed and there is no amendment proposed. Are the arrangements for Thursday's business agreed to?

A division has been called and the Covid provisions that have been agreed by all Members are in play. Forty-five Members will vote in accordance with the informal agreement which exists in the House. Every party and group have indicated who their voting Members will be.

That effectively means the Members have voted down the proposals for the business to be transacted on Thursday. In order to deal with that, since I assume people want to be here on Thursday, I propose that the Business committee should meet at 4.15 p.m. to look at a schedule for Thursday. Does that meet with the Members' agreement?

I thank the Minister. His advice is appreciated. We will convene at 4.15 p.m.

The Minister has ten minutes.

Can the Members leaving the House do so quietly please?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Deputies Thomas Byrne and Pádraig O'Sullivan have asked several intelligent and pertinent questions. However, there are two more speakers for Fianna Fáil and 3.4 minutes remaining. The time allocated is for the Minister to take questions and answer them. How do the Fianna Fáil Deputies propose we proceed? Are we to take the questions as rhetorical? The Deputies have indicated they wish for answers to be provided in writing.

Go raibh maith agat, a Aire. Táimid ag dul ar aghaidh go dtí an Teachta Tully anois.

I congratulate the Deputy on her maiden address. I call Deputy Clarke.

I thank the Deputy. I believe Deputy Feighan is sharing time with colleagues.

Is Deputy Higgins there? It is a bit like "Lanigan's Ball" here.

I ask Deputy Costello to present the proposal relating to tomorrow's Order of Business.

Is the proposal for tomorrow's business agreed?