I should like to say that in accordance with the expressed desire of many Senators it is hoped to complete this session next week. In order to do that it will be necessary to meet tomorrow morning at 10.30.
Business of Seanad.
Why?
In order to do that, it will be necessary to meet to-morrow morning at 10.30 a.m. to conclude the Second Stage of the Intoxicating Liquor Bill and the other Bills which we have ordered for to-day.
It is a pity this announcement was not made at 3 o'clock to-day when we could have gone into it. A Bill which offers scope for amendment is certainly the Intoxicating Liquor Bill. The Second Stage can be completed. Really, the Committee Stage of Bills is of very little use because the Dáil will have adjourned and, in spite of what any Minister says, they will not re-summon the Dáil. We should have got the Bill in time. We did not. The whole procedure now verges on futility. We can do nothing about it. On what days is it proposed to meet next week?
In order to complete the programme, I think it advisable to meet on Tuesday and Wednesday and, if necessary, on Thursday next.
Why is it necessary?
Let us hear what the House has to say about it.
Why is it necessary that we should finish next week? Since Christmas, we have met on about only five occasions. I do not agree with this. We are paid £750 per year. I do not see any reason why we cannot meet, even into August.
It is the express desire of many Senators who came to me and indicated that they do not want to meet during Horse Show week. I have tried to give effect to that.
There are several considerations in the matter. In fact, I understand there are people who want to make other arrangements. I happen to have been in charge of this building for some time. I sympathise with staff who have to cope with all this and who want holidays. If we could finish next week, I think it would be desirable. In that case, we meet tomorrow at 10.30 a.m. and on Tuesday next?
Yes.
Can we make an order to that effect now?
Yes.
Senator Hayes said that the Intoxicating Liquor Bill is likely to lend itself to amendment. I think there is another Bill, too, on which there will be amendments—the Sanitary Services Bill. I think some Senators intend to put down amendments to that Bill. Then you will see that we shall have more work than we think.
My experience leads me to the conclusion that no amendments will be passed at this time of the year because the Dáil will not come back to consider them. We may as well face disagreeable facts. The House has not been used to its capacity. We are now in the position of debating what I can only describe as completely futile amendments because of Government neglect in carrying out their own programme in the proper way in the other House.
I think the Senator is not correct there. The fact that we have not got these measures before now is the result of the long debates which took place in the Dáil. That is something over which the Government have no control.
They have complete control in the other House. All kinds of things can be done. We are now in a desperate position. I have no objection to meeting tomorrow if we have to do so.
Agreed to meet tomorrow at 10.30 a.m. and on Tuesday next, 31st July, 1962, at 3 p.m.
Is 10.30 a.m. not too early?
Some of us have to go home to the country tonight and to be back here to-morrow at that hour.
Business suspended at 6.20 p.m. and resumed at 7.20 p.m.