It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 2 and 3.
Order of Business.
I would like if the Leader of the House could give us some information concerning two motions to which I have put my name. One of the motions is No. 25 which is both imperative and important at this stage, and which reads:
That Seanad Éireann notes with concern the deteriorating state of the national economy.
It is now the appropriate time for this House to discuss such a motion. It may create gloom prior to Christmas to have such a discussion, but I think it deserves the time of this House.
I would also like to ask when it is intended that Motion No. 36 will be considered? Motion No. 36 states:
That Seanad Éireann notes the White Paper on the National Agricultural Advisory, Education and Research Authority.
I asked for an assurance when I put down that motion that it would be discussed in this House prior to the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries making decisions on the White Paper. It was then stated that decisions would be made within six months. That six months has now elapsed and no decision has been made. This House has not been given an opportunity to discuss this matter. I think that both motions are very important and deserve the time of the House.
I should like to support Senator Killilea. I also have my name to both of these motions. Motion No. 25 is a very important one. I think that the Seanad should afford an immediate opportunity of discussing these. We have heard yesterday and today the Taoiseach's own admission of what the financial position of this country is at present. The economy is in a deplorable state, with over 109,000 people unemployed. These are serious matters. To come into this House and discuss a Wildlife Bill or something else is wrong, in my opinion, in view of the chaos that exists both in industry and in the economy in general.
I have also put my name to the other motion mentioned by Senator Killilea. This motion is also very important. No opportunity has been given for discussing either of these motions. I do not think it is right that we should try to sweep under the carpet this serious situation. It would be far better to come out into the open and tell the people what the position is.
I should like to ask the Leader of the House what he foresees as the likely programme between now and Christmas in the Seanad. What are likely to be the sitting days and what Bills will we be asked to take between now and Christmas?
As regards sitting days, that will partly depend on whether or not Senators want to meet next week to try to arrange for any of the motions. The Bills it is proposed to deal with are the two we have before us today. In regard to motions generally, I should mention —Senator Killilea and Senator Dolan might not be aware of the fact—that we have, at my request, arranged a meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges this evening to review the whole question of motions and to see how the scheme that was adopted some years ago is working and has worked. We might all be a little more clear in our minds when we have had this discussion.
When does the Leader of the House feel that, as a result of the meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, he will have a recommendation to us? Surely we are not so naïve as to expect that a clear-cut decision will be made this evening or indeed this evening month. Therefore it still puts in abeyance the question of the agreement that motions should be taken. Indeed, apart from that agreement at all, I think it is quite proper and appropriate, even if we do have to come to this House next week to discuss the motion on the economy, that we should do so. To put it in another way, we would be better off here than at home twiddling our thumbs. It is important to discuss that matter at this time.
Is it clear that the Seanad will not be asked to consider any other Bills apart from the two listed for discussion?
I cannot be definite about that. At the moment, we have just these two Bills to take before Christmas.