Chairperson, we as the AIC are very concerned about the allocation of three minutes' speaking time to smaller parties here in this Parliament. [Interjections.] It is not fair, it is not democratic and it is very inconsiderate. [Interjections.] As smaller parties, we cannot be expected to express our views and ideas within such a short space of time.
If we are honourable members of this Parliament, and all of us are regarded as such, why are some members seen as more honourable than others? [Laughter.] Is it like the situation in the novel where "all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others"? [Interjections.] The Rules are not the laws of the Medes and the Persians; they can be amended to accommodate a situation of this nature. Alternatively, we can have more members of the ruling party, those in power, speaking but within the same allocation of speaking time.
In regard to being honourable, we are the same as they are, but only differ in the number of seats we have in this Parliament. All our views are supposed to be listened to and heard equally. [Time expired.] [Applause.]