Seanad Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 15 May 1974

Vol. 78 No. 3

Local Elections (Petitions and Disqualifications) Bill, 1974: Allocation of Time.

Mr. M.J. O'Higgins

I move:

That, in the case of the Local Elections (Petitions and Disqualifications) Bill, 1974, the proceedings on the remaining stages of the Bill and on the motion for earlier signature of the Bill if not previously brought to a conclusion shall be brought to a conclusion at 3.30 p.m. today by putting from the Chair forthwith and successively the Questions necessary to bring them to a conclusion: Provided that after the said hour on the said day

(i) a Question shall not be put on any Amendment (save a Government amendment and the question on any such amendment shall be in the form, That the amendment be made), nor on any motion other than a motion necessary to bring the proceedings to a conclusion, and

(ii) The question to be put to bring the proceedings in Committee on the Bill to a conclusion shall be, That sections and the schedule (or sections or the schedule, as amended, if amendments have been made) stand part of and that the Title (or the Title as amended) be the Title of the Bill.

Mr. Yeats

On a point of order, I have two amendments to this motion. I suggest that we adjourn until such time as may be necessary in order that they may be printed and circulated.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

I am not too sure how long it would take for the amendments to be circulated. Would the House agree to take the amendments without their being circulated? Senator O'Higgins could move the motion and the amendments could be circulated while the discussion is taking place.

Mr. Yeats

On a point of order——

Mr. Halligan

The elegant butcher.

Mr. Yeats

On a point of order, you will appreciate that the entire debate on this motion clearly will have to centre, at least in part, on the question of whether the motion is to be amended or not. Were the situation to be that the motion was debated and after that the amendments were circulated, all those who had spoken earlier in the absence of the amendments would have to be allowed to speak again on the amendments. I appreciate that there is a problem but it is not a problem of our making. Quite clearly the only solution is that the House should be adjourned until such time as the amendments are ready.

Mr. McGlinchey

I rise to support Senator Yeats in this matter. I understand Senator Halligan to——

Mr. M.J. O'Higgins

Are we discussing the motion? Surely a Senator cannot rise to initiate a discussion in support of a point of order?

Mr. McGlinchey

Is Senator O'Higgins lecturing the Chair? A few moments ago he was concerned that the Chair was being lectured. Is he now taking upon himself the role of master?

Mr. Killilea

As he always did. That is nothing new.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

Would Senator McGlinchey resume his seat please?

Mr. McGlinchey

I am speaking.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

On what are you speaking?

Mr. McGlinchey

I am supporting the proposal made by Senator Yeats that time be given for the printing and circulation of these amendments. Surely there is some democracy left in this House? Surely I, as a Member of the Opposition, have some rights here and can express my views on this particular subject? I understood Senator Halligan to refer to Senator Yeats as an elegant butcher. I must say that when it comes to butchering this Government——

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

Would the Senator resume his seat please? That is not a point of order. He is contributing to a debate.

Mr. McGlinchey

I have risen to support Senator Yeats.

(Interruptions.)

Mr. McGlinchey

Have I a right to support the proposal of Senator Yeats?

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

In view of the terms of the motion, I have decided that the amendments will be taken and discussed with the motion and that they will be read out to the House. We cannot wait for them to be circulated.

Mr. McGlinchey

Is there any justice left in this House?

(Interruptions.)

Mr. Killilea

The whole thing is a disgrace.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

The Senator must resume his seat.

Mr. Killilea

The Chair's rulings are terrible. We are a democratically elected Opposition——

(Interruptions.)

Mr. Killilea

We have not had an opportunity to debate this Bill. We came up from the country to give our views.

(Interruptions.)

Mr. M.J. O'Higgins

Rather than subject the Chair to any more of this conduct I move that the question be now put.