It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 2, 5, 3 and 4. It is proposed to take the Electricity (Special Provisions) (Repeal) Bill, which has come to us from the Dáil, with No. 2.
Order of Business.
On the Order of Business, I should like to clear two points. The first is that though ordinarily this side of the House would object to taking a Bill at such extreme short notice as it is now proposed to do in regard to the Electricity (Special Provisions) (Repeal) Bill, because this is so completely cognate with the Industrial Relations Bill which we propose to discuss anyway, we do not object on this occasion. However, we should not like this to be regarded as a precedent for the future.
The second point I raise is that because tomorrow is a holyday of obligation and since we have anticipated that the House would not sit late on the eve of a holyday of obligation as it is not the custom to do so, I should like to ask the Leader of the House whether there will be any serious objection from his point of view if the Seanad were to adjourn at 6 p.m. this evening and reassemble next Wednesday.
I have no objection to the proposal but I should like, if at all possible, either to complete the Second Stage of the Industrial Relations Bill or get a lot of it done within a time that will enable us to deal with the Shipping Bill which is a question of providing urgently needed money, before we adjourn. Therefore, I suggest that possibly 6 p.m. might be a little early. Perhaps we could adjourn at 6.30 p.m. if that is all right with the Senator.
Certainly.
I should like to raise two points on the Order of Business. The first is in connection with a motion that the Leader of the House referred to on 26th March last regarding the dismissal of a trade union official. The question was raised by Members, and rightly so, as to whether evidence was available of victimisation. Since then I have made this evidence available and it is in the Library.
The other point I wish to raise is that I should like to know if the Leader of the House is in a position to let me know, in view of the importance of motion No. 10, which deals with civil rights for civil servants and others, namely, the right to be first-class citizens just like anybody else, if it will be taken considering that a general election is impending either before the Recess or, I presume, within six months of the rising of the House. Can the Leader of the House say if this motion will be taken shortly?
I cannot say.
Would the Leader of the House bring the matter to the attention of the appropriate Minister and use his great influence to have this matter discussed at the earliest possible opportunity?
I do not know the date of the general election but my ambition is to have all the motions on the Order Paper dealt with as soon as possible. The Senator's motion will be one of them.
If there is no objection by other Members who have motions on the Order Paper, I ask that this motion be stepped up in view of the importance of granting this justice after 45 years.
We cannot discuss that matter.
I am just asking if the Leader of the House will take the urgency of the matter into consideration if other Senators are prepared to give priority to it.
Motions Nos. 7, 8 and 9 are in the name of my Party and we have no objection to yielding to motion No. 10 if a discussion on it could be arranged.