It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 4, 2 and 3.
Order of Business.
I wonder if the Leader of the House could give us any indication as to whether a report has been published by the judicial tribunal set up by a resolution of this House in connection with the RTE "Seven Days" Programme on illegal money lending.
I have not any information, but I understand the report will be given to the Cathaoirleach.
Can the Leader of the House tell us whether it will be possible to take any motions today?
Not today; next week.
Miss Bourke
The Leader of the House has told us on previous occasions that we were unable to take motions because of the acute shortage of Ministers but now that we have a full Cabinet I feel it is a gross injustice to this House not to allow Senators to debate these motions. The button is in the hands of the Leader of the House but he is very unwilling to press it and give the House the opportunity it wants to play a responsible role by discussing these matters. Can the Leader of the House give us any indication when the motion passed by this House, that on days when the Government had business before the House motions could be taken, will become operative?
Senator Bourke is new to this House. She does not understand the difficulties which older hands would appreciate. I am the most generous man in regard to pressing the button to try and get Ministers here so that motions can be discussed. Many Senators on the other side of the House realise the technical difficulties which can arise. There are technical difficulties today and tomorrow in regard to that matter. In particular there is a motion which in my opinion takes precedence. That is motion No. 8. We hoped to have that discussed today, or before today. The Budget debate is not finished. That precludes the discussion on the motion. I have arranged for it to be taken next week. The same thing applies to the other motions on the Order Paper. The Seanad can be assured that there is no lack of goodwill or of effort on my part to have these motions discussed and to have arrangements made for Ministers to attend to discuss them.
I see no evidence of goodwill. I hear a lot of talk about it.
I read the Irish Times and I see no evidence of anything from Senator Sheehy Skeffington.
Those are the thoughts of Leader Ó'Mao.
In defence of the Leader of the House, Senator Ó Maoláin, may I confirm that he made efforts to get a Minister for motion No. 8. The Senator has told me that the presence of the relevant Minister has been assured for next week.
Miss Bourke
The Leader of the House has mentioned one of the motions. Many of the motions have been down on the Order Paper since September. Various Ministers are involved. If there was real goodwill, some of the Ministers would be available to come to this House of the Oireachtas so that we could fulfil a responsible role as one of the Houses of Parliament and debate these matters in the national interest. Could I get assurance that this is the last time the matters will be postponed? We at least know that next week a motion will be taken.
I cannot give this Senator any such assurance. I explained the situation. I do my best but circumstances arise at the last moment which prevent the desirable fulfilment of our mutual wishes to have these motions discussed. I am not, like members of the Fine Gael Party, a miracle worker.