It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4. In connection with Nos. 2 and 4, it is proposed to take all stages today.
Order of Business.
On the Order of Business, I must express disappointment that the Order Paper is so short and that it has offered so little business to us. Having brought us here during the height of the very important all-Ireland campaign, I thought that we would have sufficient business to keep us until 10 o'clock at least. This appears to be a repeat of another occasion on which we found ourselves with about 45 minutes business. While I do not want to be acrimonious on the first day of Senator O'Higgins's leadership of the House, I should like to recall the vociferous protests that were made from Members on this side of the House on that occasion. They protested at the shortage of business and at the waste of public money in bringing Senators together.
I should also like to recall for Senator O'Higgins—so that he will not be disappointed tomorrow—the onslaught that was made at that time by the daily newspapers. Already two of them have made an onslaught on the adjournment of the other House for a month. The first reputable newspaper, The Cork Examiner, in an editorial today, says that it is extremely dangerous to leave the country without a Parliament during these crucial times. With the other House out of session for the next month, I should like to know, before we leave the Order of Business, whether Senator O'Higgins could give us any indication of when the Seanad will meet again?
I do not know if anybody else wants to speak; if not, I should just like to remark how glad I am that Senator Ó Maoláin fits so comfortably into the seat across the way. The House will understand the necessity for having all Stages of the Broadcasting Authority (Amendment) Bill taken today. It is needed to enable funds to be paid to RTE. Were it not for the general election this is a matter which no doubt would have been dealt with by the previous Government; as it was not dealt with by them, it is necessary for the new Government to deal with it.
Item No. 4 on the Order Paper is to give effect to the decision of the constitutional amendment. We cannot do very much about it now except to remedy the position at this meeting of the Seanad. Most of us would have preferred that this matter also should have been dealt with by the previous Government, in order that the 18-21 year old age group should have had a vote in the general election.
The Senator has not answered my question. When is it intended to hold the next meeting of the House? I see 18 motions on the Order Paper. I feel an awful atmosphere of deadly silence all around. Senator Mary Robinson and all the other Senators were demanding that their motions be taken. I want to suggest now that we take a couple of motions this evening. On every occasion when we had time to spare—and sometimes when we did not have time to spare—voices were raised asking: "Why not take the motions?" We are now prepared to take any motions suggested by Senator O'Higgins.
I certainly do not want to interfere with the democratic process which I understand is going on throughout the country at the moment. Democratic process also applies to this House. Senator Ó Maoláin has the troops here to alter the Order of Business, if he wishes to take any motions after item No. 4 has been dealt with.
Can I inveigle the Leader of the House to give us an indication of when it is proposed that the House should meet again?
As soon as it is reasonable and possible to greet the new Senators.
In other words, it is not intended that this House should meet again; this is a valedictory sitting.
As far as business goes.
I have no objection to what the Senator proposes. I should like to congratulate him on being elected Leader of the House and I wish him a happy term of office. I am quite satisfied that the Senator will not occupy that nice seat as long as I did. However, I hope that as long as he occupies it he will have a pleasant ride. I also hope that now, with the opportunity at his disposal, with the ball at his feet and with the Government behind him, which will enable him to carry out his wishes, he will make a tangible and successful effort to get business flowing from the Dáil, a wish that has been often expressed by all parties during my time as Leader of the House. Much more use could be made of this House, which has plenty of talent and ability. Debates here are of a very high standard. The Senator should persuade his Party and the Government to look into the question of the flow of Bills from the Dáil, so that in the future the Seanad will play a more useful and active role than in the past. I wish Senator O'Higgins every success in his new office.
I am grateful to Senator Ó Maoláin for his remarks, which I know are sincere. I should like to take this opportunity, on behalf of those for whom I speak on this side of the House, to wish Senator Ó Maoláin personally every happiness and comfort in his retirement from this House, if not from politics. We have crossed swords more than once in this House but my colleagues would wish me to acknowledge now the efforts which Senator Ó Maoláin made to live up to the picture of the Seanad which he has outlined.
We knew that when it was not possible to take motions or to order particular business, it was not the fault of Senator Ó Maoláin. He endeavoured to make this House a reality in the Parliamentary process and I am proud to acknowledge that to him here today. I regard his advice as valuable and I will do all I can to keep the business of the House flowing smoothly from the Dáil to the Seanad. The business in the Seanad should enable the public to see that the remarks which Senator Ó Maoláin made with regard to the contributions in this House by Senators of all parties is completely justified. I have experience of both Houses and, without wishing to appear critical, I have a very high regard for the standard of debate in Seanad Éireann.