Before calling the Order Paper, I wish to inform the House that the Taoiseach has intimated that, owing to unforeseen developments since last night, he will be unable to be present until 11.30 this morning. If the Seanad is agreeable to take Senator Crosbie's motion now, the debate can be interrupted at 11.30 to resume the Committee Stage of the Emergency Powers (Continuance and Amendment) Bill.
Order of Business.
I see no objection to that course but I think we can say that in this House on all sides we have proved very accommodating with regard to the convenience of Ministers. It is quite clear that the Taoiseach was not able to come here on Wednesday and he was not able to come here on Thursday until 6 o'clock. When the Taoiseach came here on Thursday he suggested that we might give him all Stages of the Bill by 9 o'clock, a most unreasonable frame of mind for him to adopt. We adjourned last night at 9 o'clock, the Taoiseach agreeing to come here at 10.30 this morning. Now we find that he cannot come. That is an extraordinary commentary on the whole situation and on the capacity of Ministers, none of whom, apparently, is able to take the Committee Stage of the Bill except the Taoiseach. I think it shows a great disrespect for Parliament and a complete muddling of Parliamentary arrangements.
I think it is only right that it should be explained that the Taoiseach came here with an open mind. After discussion with the various Parties here, it was decided that the debate should go on and, if possible, that all Stages of the Bill would be given last night. The Taoiseach was told so and therefore thought that all Stages of the Bill would be given last night and that the debate would be finished. Unless I made a great mistake, it was the desire of almost all Senators on the Opposition Benches to get the Bill finished last night. That was quite obvious at the conclusion of the debate. The Taoiseach is, perhaps, more tied up than any ordinary member of the Seanad and I do not think it fair at all to suggest that his attitude was anything other than the normal attitude of any man in his position. I think it is quite unreasonable for Senator Hayes to take the line he has taken. I am quite sure the majority of members of the House would be quite agreeable to accommodate the Taoiseach.
I am quite willing to accommodate the Taoiseach too. Everybody, as Senator Quirke has stated, was anxious to get the Bill finished last night, but we did not get it finished. Quite obviously, the Taoiseach wanted to get it finished and did not want to come here at all to-day. He agreed, however, to come here at 10.30 to-day. He has not been able to come owing to unforeseen circumstances, whatever they may be.
It was quite obvious that other people were more anxious to get the Bill finished last night by 9 o'clock, because anybody who knows the Taoiseach is aware that he is quite prepared to work 23 hours out of the 24 if necessary. If other people adopted that attitude we should get a lot more work done.
Having heard these statements, I suggest that we should now proceed with the debate on Senator Crosbie's motion until 11.30 a.m.