It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 2 and 3, in that order.
Order of Business.
What about No. 4?
We may be able to take it tomorrow.
At what time tomorrow is it proposed to take that Bill?
At 10.30, that is, assuming that Nos. 1, 2 and 3 are concluded today. If there is a carry-over it might come before No. 4 tomorrow.
We will not start No. 4 tonight anyway?
Are there any additional items that might be added tomorrow?
I take it that No. 5 might be taken.
Today's No. 5 is the only other likely one to be taken tomorrow.
I had intended to ask the Leader of the House if it was proposed to sit tomorrow but since I have now ascertained that it is, I propose to amend the Order of Business by adding No. 7 on today's Order Paper to the list of Bills to be considered today.
I second that motion.
I realise that there is always the argument at this time of the year that there is already enough business for us. However, it is my belief that the important social problem dealt with in this Bill is far more significant than the convenience of Members of this House and, furthermore, that it is the other side of the whole adoption question and embraces the legislation which we are passing. I do not think that we are justified in passing an Adoption Bill on the lines of the Bill put forward by the Government without facing up to the situation of the single mother and removing the discrimination against illegitimate children in this country. Therefore, I formally move an amendment to the Order of Business that item No. 7 be taken and that a Second Reading be given to this Bill before the House rises for the summer. The Illegitimate Children (Maintenance and Succession) Bill is closely linked with the subject matter before us today. It raised a very important social issue and unless we change the discrimination against the illegitimate child and improve the position of the single mother in our society we cannot, in conscience, allow an Adoption Bill to be passed along the lines proposed.
It has been proposed that the Order of Business for today should be Nos. 1, 2 and 3 and an amendment has been proposed and seconded that No. 7 be added to that.
This appears to me to be an eminently reasonable request on the part of Senator Robinson. Perhaps it could be included in tomorrow's business which is rather light. We only have the Agricultural (Amendment) Bill and possibly a motion, I take it on which we are all agreed, in regard to the pension scheme of Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas. So perhaps we could take Senator Robinson's Bill tomorrow. I would certainly agree with that course.
I would not like to mislead the House. I am not to be taken as agreeing to that.
If Senator Robinson were disposed to renew her amendment to the Order of Business tomorrow morning, we on this side of the House might well feel disposed to support her.
I would like to thank Senators Lenihan and Yeats for their their moral support and to say that I would be prepared to withdraw the present amendment and to try to have the Bill taken tomorrow on the Order of Business. I hope that this may be facilitated by the House.
It is a matter for the Senator herself and for the House but the case she has been making for the amendment is that the House could not in conscience pass the Adoption Bill which is ordered for today unless at the same time they take No. 7. It does not seem that her attitude would be quite consistent to withdraw her amendment today and put it down tomorrow when the Adoption Bill, hopefully, will have passed. However, it is a matter entirely for the Senator.
I could only withdraw the proposed amendment on the understanding that it would be taken tomorrow. I would do that to prevent the House voting unnecessarily. If there is no such understanding then I would have to press the amendment to the Order of Business.
I would like to make it clear that I am not misleading either Senator Lenihan or Senator Robinson. Senator Robinson now asks if there is an understanding. I want to make it quite clear that I am not committing myself to any undertaking or understanding in the matter.
We have an amendment: is it proposed to withdraw the amendment?
It is not proposed to withdraw the amendment.
I am now putting the question: "That item No. 7 on the Order Paper be added to the items already proposed for today's Order of Business."
Question put.
Vótail.
Will the Senators seeking a division please rise?
Senators Robinson and Horgan rose.
The names of the Senators supporting the amendment will be recorded as dissenting.
Order of Business agreed to, Senators Robinson and Horgan dissenting.