It is proposed to take No. 1.
Order of Business.
We agreed to take this Bill today. However, I wish to lodge a complaint about the way in which Government business is being done. The normal practice laid down in Standing Orders for legislation coming from the Dáil is that it should be on the Order Paper for three days before being taken up by the House. It is a reasonable condition because it gives adequate notice that a Bill will be taken and it gives adequate time for Senators to examine the legislation concerned.
There are circumstances in which it is necessary to take legislation at short notice. This arises from time to time in all Governments. One must make the point that whatever way this Government have of doing business it results in the fact that time after time —indeed it is becoming a normal fact of everyday life—Bills coming to this House from Dáil Éireann are being taken at a few hours' notice. It is not good enough. It is an example of the utterly incompetent way in which this Government's legislative programme is being conducted. I cannot see the slightest reason why it should be happening time after time. I presume this Bill is urgent, but every Bill these days seems to be urgent. It can only be assumed that the practice of the Government is that they think about these things only at the last minute. By the time they get around to bringing legislation before the Oireachtas it is so late that it has to be rushed through in this hole-and-corner way. It is quite wrong.
I got no Order Paper this morning. It would appear that there is some agreement between the Whips. We spent three days debating the Wildlife Bill. It was amusing to hear so much talk about wildlife at a time when human life is being threatened all over the country. It is very rewarding to find this morning, at a time when the country is threatened with a three-day week and short-time, the Seanad going on a four-day week. I suppose it is a sign of the times in Seanad Éireann. The Institute for Industrial Research and Standards seem to have a bank of knowledge. Perhaps they could give us some advice. They have suggested a four-day week. In most cases we have a four-day week from 10.30 a.m. to 10 p.m. It appears that, wherever else redundancies may occur, it will not be in Seanad Éireann.
The bulk of Senator Brennan's remarks might have been more relevant if they were addressed to the House yesterday on the Wildlife Bill. I am glad he approves of the Government's efforts as regards employment as far as the Seanad is concerned. Senator Yeats's remarks were very much more theoretical than practical. As a matter of practice, it is well to record that he and every other Senator were aware that we were to take this Bill today. They were aware——
I heard it at 9 o'clock last night. I was away.
On Tuesday last it was announced in the House. They were also well aware of the contents of the Bill. His remarks, provided we view them in the theoretical context, make good hearing for the Press as simply a stick which Senator Yeats wishes to use as often as he can on the Order of Business.
Presumably there is some point in having Standing Orders.
It is merely a question of theory and not practice. The stick is not very effective because it is purely theoretical.
On a point of information——
There can be no point of information—the Senator did not speak on the Order of Business.
All I wanted to say is: "Never on a Friday again, please."
Order of Business agreed to.