It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 2 and 5 on the Order Paper. Nos. 1 and 5 can be taken together. With the permission of the House No. 2 will be taken at 7.30 p.m.
Order of Business.
There are two points in regard to that which I should like to query. First in agreeing to take Nos. 1 and 5 together we would like an assurance that the Minister in opening the debate will deal fully with the reasons for the Redundancy Contributions (Variation of Rates) Order, 1972, as well as with the reasons for moving the Social Welfare Bill, 1972, which are well known to us. Secondly, ordinarily we would be objecting rather strenuously to the taking of No. 2 at such short notice. However, in view of the fact that we are liable to receive a number of Bills at short notice from the Dáil, we are prepared to take No. 2 at 7.30 p.m. in order to reduce the congestion of the business in this House.
I should like to ask the Leader of the House to give us an indication now, if possible, or sometime today or tomorrow what Bills it is proposed will be taken before the Summer Recess and what motions it is proposed to clear from the Order Paper.
I can tell the Senator now. It is proposed to take the following Bills before the Summer Recess: the Value-Added Tax Bill, the Finance Bill, the Amendment to the Constitution Bill and the Prices Bill. With regard to motions I do not know at present what it is proposed to take.
I wonder if the Leader of the House would give his attention to the question not only of motions generally but, in particular, of some motions which have become topical. The one I have in mind is motion No. 9, which asks the Seanad to note the Report of the Public Services Organisation Review Group. Now that we have had news in the last few days that some parts of the Devlin Report are on the brink of implementation, it is high time this House had an opportunity of discussing this entire report. I should be grateful if the Leader of the House could give us some indication of whether there is any hope that it might be taken before the end of July.
I can inquire.
I should like to second Senator Kelly's point about taking some motions before we adjourn. Agreement was reached that we would try to take a motion every month. We are falling rather behind in this target. The motions on the Order Paper are building up. There are two in my name but they do not necessarily come first in order of priority. I would like the House to get down to taking some of these motions before the Summer Recess.
In case there is any misunderstanding about this in the minds of Senators I should like to point out that at least on two occasions recently I was in a position to have a motion taken and the proposers were not ready. It is not entirely due to laxity on my part.
May I point out to the Leader of the House that on at least 20 occasions this side has been ready to proceed and the Minister was not.
As the Senator knows very well, Ministers are not always available.
I do not wish to prolong this discussion and I have made this point before. Under Standing Orders of this House it is not necessary for a Minister to be present for the discussion of a motion. The Government have a front bench of their own. They should be well able to deal with the subject of a motion without the assistance of a Minister or Parliamentary Secretary. I do not mean to be contentious, but I do not accept that this is a necessity in regard to motions. Legislation is perhaps a different matter.
While appreciating the compliment which the Senator has paid to the front bench here and accepting the fact that we would be quite capable of dealing with these motions, nevertheless when motions are put down by Senators they exepect that they will get the direct view of the Minister in charge of the Department concerned. If they do not get that it reduces the value of a discussion on the motions considerably.
It is proposed to take Nos. 1 and 5 on the Order Paper. Business can be interrupted, if necessary, to take No. 2 at 7.30 p.m. Is it agreed in regard to No. 2 to waive the provisions of Standing Orders to enable it to be taken within the three days? Is the Order of Business agreed, Nos. 1 and 5 being taken together?
It is agreed to take Nos. 1 and 5 together subject to the proviso that we get a full statement in regard to No. 5 from the Minister.