The next business is the appointment of a Senator to fill the vacancy in the panel of Vice-Chairmen, the vacancy being occasioned by the death of Senator MacPartlin. I might suggest, if he would be willing to act, that perhaps the House might like to see Senator Lenihan occupying that position. Would you be prepared to act, Senator Lenihan?
VACANCY IN PANEL OF VICE-CHAIRMEN.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
Yes, if the House wishes.
I do not want to interfere, except to say that this Committee on which Senator MacPartlin was represented, was supposed to be a Committee elected under proportional representation.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
You are confusing the Committees, Senator. It is a different Committee. It is the panel of two.
I thought it was that Committee.
I think the original arrangement was that a member of the Labour Party should act as Deputy-Chairman.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
There was no such arrangement. It so happened that Senator O'Farrell did act, and when the next opportunity came round, Senator MacPartlin was in his place, but there was no understanding that I am aware of. I would be only too glad to carry it out if there was an understanding that the succession was to go on ad infinitum in the Labour Party, but, in fact, there are other parties that have never been represented at all.
We do not advance any claim of that kind.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
I hope I would be the last to go behind any understanding arrived at in the House, but it was because there was no understanding of that kind that I thought probably that the House would like to give an opportunity to a member of another party.
Agreed.