I have received notice from Senator Mary Robinson that on the motion for the Adjournment tonight she proposes to raise the following matter: the absence of any proper remand home for juvenile offenders and the use of the Bridewell Prison for this purpose. I am accepting that notice and the matter will be taken when the business ordered has been concluded.
Order of Business.
It is proposed to take Nos. 5, 6, 7 and 8 and to take all Stages of No. 8 today. In connection with No. 8—the EEC Bill—the Seanad could normally expect to take Motion No. 11 with the Bill, but as the Minister for Foreign Affairs is in Paris on State business I do not propose ordering No. 11. However, I can inform the House that the Minister is prepared to attend the Seanad at the next sitting on the 20th June and, if necessary, on the 21st June to enable Motion No. 11 to be discussed to avoid a long delay in this regard.
At the next sitting it is also hoped to take the remaining matters which appear on the Order Paper for public business—the two motions dealing with the Department of Agriculture, the Local Rates Bill, the local Elections Bills and the motion for the Department of Education.
I agree with the proposals made by Senator O'Higgins but I should like to emphasise that this report on the development of the European Economic Community is a very important one. There is a lot of meat in it and it is important that we should have a very full debate at this stage. As the situation develops within the Community, we may be in a position as a country not to be able to make as decisive a contribution as we can at present. I suggest that this matter be given priority and that a full two day debate take place as it is at this stage that valid contributions can be made in regard to the development of the Community. In 18 months or two years time things may have passed us by so there should be a full debate of three days if necessary on this report which is a valuable document, which points out the way ahead and the problems involved in regard to the development of the European Economic Community.
The Bill is largely a technical one confirming regulations. We can make points on it during the ensuing debate but we should give complete priority as a matter of urgency that this forum of the Oireachtas should have a very full and detailed debate on this first report which is the important one and it is in regard to suggestions on that report that we can seek to influence how we participate in the Community over many years ahead.
Order of Business agreed to.