Before we resume consideration of the Bill, when we agreed to the Order of Business earlier today it was understood that a statement would be made on what the position would be when we returned after the tea adjournment. In view of the fact that it has already been suggested by the Leader of the House that we are to meet on Friday, I want to point out again that many Members are committed to county councils, vocational education committees, or agricultural committees or urban councils and Friday is not suitable. If we knew beforehand it would be all right but no previous notice has been given.
Business of Seanad.
I was about to say before resuming on the Bill that during an informal discussion while the Minister was absent Senator Killilea drew my attention to the fact that—I ask him to accept that it was inadvertently—I may have misled Members on the Order of Business with regard to the reasons why we did not get the Social Welfare (Pay-Related Benefit) Bill today. I was under the impression that it might have been possible by agreement for the Dáil to have altered their Order of Business to take that.
The hint I was trying to give was that the approach might be made and that that might be done. I now understand that that probably would not have been possible. The reason for our failure to get the Bill today is because of delay in getting it out of the Dáil last night. That is the reason we will not get it until Friday. I should like to take the opportunity of clearing the record. I am obliged to Senator Killilea—although it was informally —and to Senator Dolan now for having given me the opportunity of saying that. The position remains unaltered. We will not get the Bill until Friday and consequently we will be sitting on Friday to take it.
It seems clear now that in any event the Wildlife Bill, Second Stage, is unlikely to conclude tonight, in which event we will also be sitting tomorrow for the purpose of concluding the Second Stage of that Bill.
On a further point of information, seeing that the Leader of the House has now definitely said we will now be sitting on Friday, would he concede to one request? Seeing that he has refused the suggestion of not sitting on a Friday— I oppose that principle because we sat Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and there are a thousand different reasons why we should not sit on Friday, both financial and others— could he arrange to have the Seanad sit on Friday at 3 o'clock in preference to 10.30 a.m. as suggested?
I am afraid it will not be possible. There is a function on Friday evening which a number of Members will be attending.
I am sorry to delay the House but the point arising from all this is that it is obvious that the Government are unable to pass even a simple little Bill such as the Pay Related Bill which should only take a moment. I would request that this be the last occasion that the Seanad be asked to sit on a Friday if it has sat on a Tuesday.
I do not have any objection as to when we sit provided we know some time beforehand. Is there that great urgency about the Bill now in the Dáil? Could it not have been postponed?
All I am in a position to say is that it is desired to have it taken on Friday.
Today when I was on the Order of Business I was about to ask about a motion. The Leader of the House has now apologised for the situation that occured but he overlooked my request to have the last motion on the agenda taken. He did not answer me as to what he intended to do about it. Has he considered it since—may it be possible to take it tomorrow when the Wildlife Bill finishes?
The Senator gave himself the answer when he raised it. It would be impossible to arrange at short notice for the taking of the last motion tabled.
I asked for another assurance that we would seek from the Government that no vote be taken on the relevant White Paper until such time as it was debated in this House. That question is still unanswered.
I cannot give any assurance about that.
A matter of such major importance should go through the process of debate in this House and in the other House. Before any further moves have been made on that White Paper it is important that it be debated in this House.