It is proposed to take Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. As regards No. 5, it is proposed that that should not be taken before 7.30 p.m.
Private Business. - Order of Business.
On the Order of Business, I should like to ask the Leader of the House if time could be set aside for the discussion of No. 15—the motion on Northern Ireland. I do not have to outline how important a discussion of this nature is. It is of more importance than any other motion on the Order Paper and I hope that the Leader of the House will see that this can be discussed as soon as possible.
On the same subject, I should like to ask the Leader of the House what the position is in relation to the motions on the Order Paper. There was a view expressed that these would be taken regularly and I should like to know if we will be sitting tomorrow and more days of the week in order to take motions. I agree with Senator West that the motion on Northern Ireland is very important. I should also like, as soon as possible, to have a debate on the Commission on the Status of Women. It is the most important report that this country has seen in the last number of years and it has not been debated in either House.
On the general question of motions, the matter was considered by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and a scheme in draft form has been prepared for further consideration this evening. It was suggested, and I hope it will be done, that the nonaligned Senators, the University Senators, should have an opportunity of looking at the scheme before it is proposed for adoption here.
As regards the particular motions which were mentioned, Motion No. 15 is obviously one in which it would be necessary to have a Government representative present in the Seanad because it would require a statement of Government policy. I think it is only right to say that, between the time in which Senator West raised the possibility of this motion going down and today, there have been some major pronouncements made. It would seem to me that a discussion on this motion at the moment might possibly be adding to words that have been spoken within the last two or three weeks. I will have conveyed to the Taoiseach the fact that Senators have expressed a desire to have this discussion. The general scheme which we are proposing will, I hope, in relation to a number of motions give Senators an opportunity of going ahead with motions even if it is not convenient for a Minister to attend. With this particular motion, however, it would be necessary to have a member of the Government here. I will see what we can do about it.
The Order of Business is dealt with by proposition and possible amendment and the Leader of the House has already concluded the discussion. All that is now possible is a brief question to the Leader of the House.
My question concerns the point he raised about Government statements, which I welcome, but is such a statement the same as a Seanad debate? I feel that a debate is important. I know the statements are important also but I hope the Leader of the House will agree that a debate is a rather different matter and a very important matter at this stage.
I should like to support Senator West in asking for a debate. I hope that the Minister can make himself available because I feel that a great number of Senators will not agree with everything the Taoiseach has said in his speeches over the last few weeks in their overall context. I would agree with a large part of it but I should like to have an opportunity in a debate of expressing my disagreement with a large part of it as well.
Order of Business agreed.