The following Message has been received from the Dáil:—
Tá Dáil Eireann tar éis an Rún so leanas do rith agus is mian leo aontú Sheanaid Eireann leis:—
"Go bhfuil sé oiriúnach Có-Choiste a bheidh có-dhéanta do chúigear ball den Dáil agus do chúigear ball den tSeanad do bhunú chun congnamh agus comhairle do thabhairt don Cheann Comhairle agus don Chathaoirleach i dtreora agus i stiúra Seomra Bidh an Oireachtais."
Dáil Eireann has passed the following Resolution, in which the concurrence of Seanad Eireann is desired:—
"That it is expedient that a Joint Committee consisting of five members of the Dáil and five members of the Seanad be set up to assist and advise the Ceann Comhairle and the Cathaoirleach in the direction and control of the Oireachtas Restaurant."
The House will recollect, when this matter came up at the previous sitting, attention was drawn to the fact that the Message omitted any reference to the question of the internal accommodation of the Oireachtas. These had been managed in previous years by the same Joint Committee, and this particular reference leaves out any reference to the internal accommodation. I communicated with the Ceann Comhairle with a view to finding out the reason for the omission of any reference to the internal accommodation. I had the opportunity of seeing him to-day, and I understand that so far as the internal accommodation of the Dáil is concerned the Dáil is satisfied that that is a matter which can be left in the hands of the Ceann Comhairle. Personally, I do not want the question as affecting the Seanad left in my hands. I therefore suggest that while the House should agree with the Dáil in apointing a Joint Committee to look after the question of the restaurant, a separate Committee of the Seanad should be appointed to deal with the question of internal accommodation. That probably will appear on the Order Paper at the next sitting, and a motion to that effect, perhaps, will be moved by some Senator.
Agreed.