It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4—the first four Bills on the Order Paper.
Order of Business.
May I inquire if it is definite that Motions Nos. 17 and 18 will be taken tomorrow?
Yes.
May I also ask the Leader of the House whether the rule in regard to time will apply in regard to each of these motions? I do not anticipate that anything I have to say or anything that will be said on this side will be inordinately long. On the other hand, the leader of the House will appreciate that it is at our suggestion that these motions are being taken together. A great deal of material could arise for discussion on each of them so I hope that the motions will be taken together at the same time, an arrangement that would be appropriate if we were discussing only one motion.
In regard to motions generally, we find on this side that the present arrangement is not working out satisfactorily. That is not in any way due to any failure on the part of Senator Ó Maoláin. We appreciate his difficulties in securing the attendance of Ministers. In effect, what is happening is that, by reason of the uncertainty as to whether the Leader of the House will be able to secure the attendance of Ministers, very often the notice which we get regarding the taking of motions is extremely limited.
As Senator Ó Maoláin will appreciate, a number of the motions are of substantial importance which require a certain amount of homework to be done in advance. I want to put forward as a suggestion for consideration— perhaps we could raise it later either in the House or at the Committee of Procedure and Privileges—that we should decide to fix an order in which the motions will be taken. We should decide to adhere to that regardless of whether Ministers will be available. Adequate notice would then be given to Members of this House and it would enable Ministers to receive adequate notice.
We should like to have Ministers in attendance if possible, but we are quite prepared to go ahead with motions whether Ministers are here or not. I am not asking Senator Ó Maoláin to give any firm decision or commitment on this matter at this stage. I am merely raising it to let him know our difficulties and for the purpose of suggesting that there should be some examination of the problem.
The difference between Senator O'Higgins and me is that I do not see any point whatever in having a discussion on motions unless there is a Minister here to give the viewpoint of the Government in connection with them. Otherwise it would be making the House a complete talking shop, nothing else. With regard to giving adequate notice of motions, I do my best. I do all I can to give adequate notice. A week's notice ought to be sufficient in view of the length of time these motions are on the Order Paper. I take it for granted that those who put them down must have been prepared to have them taken the following day, if called. Therefore, I think a week's notice is quite adequate.
We would agree with that if we could get a week's notice.
With regard to taking them in a series, as suggested by Senator O'Higgins, that is not always easy. You could decide on scheduling a motion for, say, next month and find that the Minister concerned is not available. I do not see any point whatever in having a discussion unless there is a Minister here to answer.
We can disagree on that, but if the leader of the House could tell us today or tomorrow which motions would be taken next week that would meet our requirements.
Take the last two motions, for instance. The week before last I announced a week in advance that we would take the motion put down by Senator Belton in regard to nurses. I announced last week that we would take Motions Nos. 17 and 18 this week. I told everyone, including Senator Kelly, that he had been asking for it so long it was time we did something about it.
Can the Leader of the House follow that up by telling us next week's motion now.
No. There will not be any next week.
I have two motions on the Order Paper.
These are statutory motions.
They have to be taken within 21 sitting days. Four or five sitting days have passed since the motions were placed on the Order Paper. They are important because the same motion is being taken in the Dáil today and it must get priority. I should like the Leader of the House to give me an opportunity to move this motion.
The Leader of the House has already replied and concluded this discussion. I have allowed Senator Prendergast to make his point. I call on Senator Jack Fitzgerald. After that we will have to finish the discussion.
The point I want to make is that, while agreeing with what Senator Ó Maoláin has said, would it be possible to send out with the preliminary agenda, which we receive approximately the Saturday before a sitting, an indication that particular motions are to be taken?
That is under discussion at the moment. There may be difficulties, but we shall see what can be done.