It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 3 and 2.
Order of Business.
Miss Bourke
On the Order of Business, may I ask the Leader of the House if it is anticipated that the House will sit tomorrow morning?
It is not.
Miss Bourke
I understood that an agreement had been reached to the effect that in weeks in which Government business is being taken on Wednesdays, motions will be discussed on the Thursday mornings.
When a Minister is available.
Miss Bourke
I understand that at the moment the other House is engaged in a debate on the Common Market and is it the position that there is no Minister available to come to the Seanad for a debate on any of the motions on the Order Paper?
No.
Miss Bourke
Is the Leader of the House prepared to give an explanation as to why there is no Minister available?
No.
Miss Bourke
Is it anticipated that a Minister will not be available next week?
I should like to humour Senator Bourke in her cross-examination but I am not in a position to say at the moment.
Miss Bourke
I do not wish to pursue the matter further except to say that it would be better value for money if this House met as often as possible on Thursday mornings. The statement that no Minister is available hardly justifies the fact that this practice is becoming a general rule and that Thursday morning sittings for the taking of motions are the exception rather than the rule.
I would remind Senator Bourke that when she has been here a little longer she will know a little more about the difficulties involved. May I point out that in the space of seven meetings, four motions were taken on the Order Paper as it stood at the beginning of this procedure? That is rapid progress.
I seek the guidance of the Chair in this matter. Taking into account that the availability of Government Ministers is not part of the recommendation of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, I should be grateful if the Chair would restate for us the relationship between this House and the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.
The Senator will appreciate that this matter was decided by means of a resolution of the House.
The resolution has not been honoured.