It is proposed to take Nos. 1 and 2 on the Order Paper.
Order of Business.
Several times during recent weeks I have tried to get the House to take the Illegitimate Children (Maintenance and Succession) Bill, 1974, and to discuss the position of illegitimate children under existing law. I do not propose, as it would be an exercise in futility, to try to amend the Order of Business today or tomorrow if the House sits then. I ask my fellow Senators to give this subject matter serious consideration during the Recess. We hope to raise this question on the first day the House resumes. We believe firmly in the urgency of the problem and the need for the Oireachtas to examine the position of illegitimate children and to remove the discriminations and the disadvantage under which they are, as the law stands.
We regret that time has not been given this session for a discussion on this very important social problem. We ask fellow Senators to examine the Bill which is now published during the Recess and to give it time so that there may be a debate on the first sitting day after the Recess.