On the adjournment, I move:
That the Seanad adjourn until 3 p.m. on Wednesday, 27th October, 1971.
If this motion is opposed, I should like to speak very briefly to it.
Business of Seanad.
I formally second the motion.
I am anxious to know whether the motion is opposed.
Nobody is going to stop the Senator from moving the motion.
I intend to be extremely brief.
Do not start making speeches now.
The only thing that will extend the discussion is interruptions from the Leader of the House. First of all, I want to prevent the kind of thing from happening which happened last year and which was an occasion for much justified comment inside this House and outside. Secondly, I should like to take the Leader of the House up on his reasonableness. Thirdly, I should like to take up the Minister for Justice, Deputy O'Malley, on his final remarks in which he said he hoped for reasonable treatment of the Bill in his name which is before us at present and which is ordered for the first day after the recess. Fourthly, because it is obvious to all Members of this House that we have business ordered for the first day immediately after the recess, there is no need for us to wait to reassemble until the Dáil sends us further business. I think it would be disingenuous of us to give ourselves any longer holidays than the Dáil have decided to give themselves.
Like Senator Horgan, I have no desire to hold up the House on this occasion. I hope the Leader of the House will agree to this motion. It is a good idea to have a fixed date for our return. The present situation is different from last year in that we have important legislation before the House. I am particularly concerned about the Courts Bill because an attempt is being made to provide a better deal for deserted wives. Deserted wives are not in a position to wait very long for such help. Therefore, it is important that we take that Bill as soon as possible and that we have a fixed day for return. I note that the Adoption Bill which we have tabled, and which has received its First Reading, is listed for hearing on the first day of the next session. I should be grateful to know when this will be taken. For various reasons, I should be grateful if the Leader of the House would accede to this reasonable request to fix the time for our return.
We must have flexibility in this matter and, unfortunately, we do not know what time it will be necessary to meet. It may become necessary to meet long before the 27th October. Therefore, I could not agree to the motion.
Would the Leader of the House accept an alteration? We could say not later than the 27th October.
I could not agree to the motion at all.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
This would not be in order.
I propose we adjourn sine die.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
If Senator Horgan's motion is accepted it becomes a Resolution of the House. If it is not accepted, another motion can be entertained. I take it the motion is being pressed?
Yes.
Question put: "That the Seanad adjourn until 3 p.m. on Wednesday 27th October."
The Seanad divided: Tá, 11; Níl, 17.
Tá
- Boland, John.
- Dooge, James C.I.
- Farrelly, Denis.
- Fitzgerald, Jack.
- Horgan, John.
- Kelly, John.
- Mannion, John M.
- Owens, Evelyn P.
- Prendergast, Mícheál A.
- Robinson, Mary T.W.
- West, Timothy T.
Níl
- Brennan, John J.
- Brugha, Ruairí.
- Cranitch, Mícheál C.
- Eachthéirn, Cáit Uí.
- Farrell, Joseph.
- Farrell, Peggy.
- Fitzsimons, Patrick.
- Gallanagh, Michael.
- Hanafin, Desmond.
- Keegan, Seán.
- McElgunn, Farrell.
- McGowan, Patrick.
- Norton, Patrick.
- O'Callaghan, Cornelius K.
- Ó Maoláin, Tomás.
- Ryan, Eoin.
- Walsh, Seán.
Tellers:—Tá: Senators Horgan and Robinson; Níl: Senators Brennan and J. Farrell.
Question declared lost.
The Seanad adjourned at 7 p.m.sine die.