It is proposed to take No. 1 and to adjourn on the completion of No. 1 and, at 5 o'clock, to take the election of the Cathaoirleach and then to take No. 2.
Order of Business.
On the Order of Business, could I again ask the Leader of the House if he would use his good offices to have No. 11 on the Order Paper pushed forward? This motion asks the House to take note of the personnel and terms of reference of the RTE Review Body. I am sure Senator Ó Maoláin and those on his side of the House will agree this is given an added urgency by the statement published in this morning's newspapers and signed by no fewer than seven out of nine of the outgoing broadcasting authority. This motion has been on the Order Paper for more than a year. Only a few days ago a joke was published in the newspapers about the fantastic arrears into which this Order Paper has got. Matters which were relevant then and are much less relevant now are still on it. I know the Leader of the House has a particular interest in broadcasting as he has often demonstrated this in debates here, and I urge him very seriously to do his best to ensure that this motion will be cleared from the Order Paper because of the importance of the issues it raises to which we should all like to contribute our views.
I should like to ask the Leader of the House about the arrangements he promised concerning the taking of motions in January. I am interested particularly in Motions Nos. 13 and 17. The Leader of the House has indicated that we are to spend some time this month clearing some of these motions off the Order Paper.
There is no use cherishing false hopes in regard to this matter. On the 17th, 18th and 19th of this month we will be dealing with the Appropriation Act. We were recalled early because of the resignation of the Cathaoirleach. I do not see any possibility of doing anything on the lines indicated by Senators within this period. I agree with Senator Kelly and I should very much like to have that motion dealt with and will do all I can to forward it.
Is it clear we are meeting on the 17th?
To deal with the Appropriation Act?
Yes. The 17th.