We are in a slight difficulty in regard to the next item on the Order Paper. It is now 12.40 and it is suggested that we should not break for lunch so as to ensure that the Higher Education Authority Bill will be completed by 2.30, when it is proposed to take the Central Bank Bill. If there is no objection I propose that we should do so.
Business of Seanad.
I offer no objection, but I think the Leader of the House would probably agree with me that, when the Order of Business was agreed this morning, the persons who are moving amendments, apart from myself, on the Higher Education Authority Bill assumed that the Bill would not be disposed of by 2.30. If it is deemed necessary, could we continue with that Bill after we have disposed of the Central Bank Bill?
The question as I outlined it was that we would get through this programme today so that we could complete the Committee Stage of the Central Bank Bill tonight. I visualise if we can finish the Higher Education Authority Bill in one and a half hours it should give ample time for the discussion of the remaining Stages of the other Bill.
I feel that ample notice should be given of such matters. I am inclined to facilitate the Leader of the House in matters of this nature, but as there are quite a few amendments down to the Higher Education Authority Bill and as timely notice has not been given that there would not be a break from 1 o'clock to 2.30, I could not agree with the Leader of the House on this occasion. I could not accept the responsibility of agreeing with this in view of the fact that I am not the spokesman on our side on Education. Senator Kelly is our spokesman on Education.
I gave notice to Senator Kelly.
Senator Robinson and others may have made other arrangements. If notice were given when the Order of Business was being announced in the morning we would have no objection to sitting through any period. However, the lateness of the notice is what we do not like.
On a point of order, is this not a matter which would come up more properly at 1 o'clock, the time normally fixed for the adjournment for lunch? In my opinion no decision need be taken on it until that time.
As a matter of fact this idea came into my head in order to facilitate certain members of the Opposition who are not in a position, apparently, to be here tomorrow. That was the only reason why I arranged the Order of Business in that way. If there is an objection to it, that is a different matter.
Was this agreed between Senator Ó Maoláin and Senator O'Brien?
No, I spoke to Senator Kelly today. He asked what the position was and I told him. Yesterday I spoke to the Leas-payer Chathaoirleach and I explained the matter to him. I thought everybody was well aware of it.
Apparently, Senator O'Brien is not aware of it.
Could we have a ruling from the Chair on whether this is in order now, or should we move the adjournment?
There is no proposal before the House. As far as the Chair is concerned the next item on the Order of Business is No. 2. The Chair would suggest that we should start on No. 2 and if there are matters Senators wish to discuss it can be done outside the House.