Seanad Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Aug 1971

Vol. 71 No. 1

Business of Seanad.

An Cathaoirleach

I have received notice from Senator Quinlan that on the motion for the Adjournment of the House tonight he proposes to raise the following matter:

The inadequacy of the notice given by the Minister for Education to secondary school authorities of his refusal to sanction staff increases for which graduates had already been engaged provisionally.

I am accepting that notice and, in accordance with practice, I propose that the matter be taken from 9.30 p.m. to 10 p.m., or earlier if the business of the day concludes.

Tomás Ó Maoláin

If this motion is to be taken at 9.30 p.m. that takes away half an hour from the time available to Senators to debate the business on the Order Paper. May I suggest that it be taken at 10 p.m.?

An Cathaoirleach

The practice has been to take it at 9.30 p.m., would the House prefer to take it at 10 p.m. Is there any objection to that?

Professor Quinlan

The usual practice has been that the last half hour is taken for the Adjournment Debate.

An Cathaoirleach

The usual practice has been that the last half hour of business should be devoted to such motions, but it is a matter for the House to decide what the last half hour is.

Professor Quinlan

Then I suggest that there is no reason why we should depart from our regularly reserved time of 9.30 p.m. onwards to take any amendments.

An Cathaoirleach

I have received under Standing Order No. 26 notice of a motion of urgent and definite public importance from Senator O'Higgins. The motion reads as follows:

To discuss the critical situation for the Irish people, North and South, which has arisen because of recent events in Northern Ireland and the desirability of joint discussions thereon between the Government and Opposition parties in Oireachtas Éireann.

I have received very short notice of this matter and in view of the importance and complexity of the issues raised, I should like with the leave of the House to postpone my decision on this matter until immediately after the tea adjournment.

Mr. O'Higgins

I am quite agreeable to that. I do appreciate, and I am sure the House will appreciate, the reasons for it, that the notice given to you was extremely short. Obviously the matter is one which must receive your very serious and earnest consideration. In view of the short notice I think the House should agree that you should be permitted to reserve your decision on it.

Dr. West

Until when?

An Cathaoirleach

7.30 p.m.