Before we proceed with the next business I would like you, sir, to appeal to Senators at the extreme ends of the room to speak as loudly as possible. It is absolutely impossible in these seats to hear speakers at the other end, and I understand that even the official reporters are unable to hear. The acoustic properties of the room are exceedingly bad and every Senator will need to speak as loudly as possible.
PUBLIC BUSINESS. - ACOUSTIC DIFFICULTIES.
I suggest that if the seats at this end of the room were put a little further back it would enable other seats to be brought round a little more, and that might be better.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
I may mention that this question of the seating accommodation has given very great trouble, and more particularly will that be the case when we have accommodation provided in the shape of armchairs, which will be in the course of a month or two. That will tax to its utmost limit the floor space in order to provide room for these sixty armchairs, leaving reasonable intervals between them and between the rows. At present we have to work with these forms, as we had in the other room. I would be very glad of any suggestion, such as the Earl of Kerry has made, or suggestions by any other Senators, because I have found that the Board of Works are exceedingly anxious to meet us, and there is nothing I have asked them to do that they have not agreed to do. They have gone further, and have said that anything else that any Senator can suggest to improve the comfort and amenities of this place, they are prepared to carry out.
I would suggest that a great improvement would be effected in the hearing, and also in the seeing, if the rear benches, or the armchairs were raised. I do not know of any theatre used for discussions in which the seats are all on the same level, and I think both the hearing and the seeing would be vastly improved if an arrangement were made for raising the seats in tiers.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
The raising of seats is always useful when the object is viewing, or seeing what is on the stage, but the only object in doing that here would be to see the Chairman.
Would it be a breach of precedent if speakers stood in the middle of the room when speaking?
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
Would you lend yourself for the occasion, Senator?
I do not intend to speak to-day.
The acoustic properties of some buildings are enhanced by some arrangement with wireless. That might be worthy of consideration.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
That might be used for broadcasting then.