It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 and to break for lunch from 1 p.m. until 2.15 p.m.
Order of Business.
It is rather a surprise to us on this side of the House to know that we are taking No. 4 and even No. 3 although there is nothing much to that. It is surprising to find that we are now taking the Family Home Protection Bill. I was under the impression and I think our Whips were, too, that this was being taken next week.
If we have the time we should start it today.
It will be all right to start it but it is a large Bill to be taking without giving us prior notice.
It seems to me unlikely that we would finish it today but yesterday we did find ourselves ultimately with time on our hands. We are ordering this as a precaution.
I would like to vary the Order of Business so as to include No. 9 on the Order Paper, that is the Family Planning Bill, 1974. As long ago as 26th November, 1975 I asked the Leader of the House when the Family Planning Bill might be taken for a Second Reading, given that it had its first reading in December 1974, more than 18 months ago. On that occasion the Leader of the House said as reported at column 9 of the Official Report:
It was quite unnecessary for Senator Robinson to inquire in public on the Order of Business regarding her Family Planning Bill. I had already communicated to her the position, namely, that the Tanaiste is prepared to come here to deal with the Bill as soon as the Dáil Special Committee on the Misuse of Drugs Bill has concluded.
It took the Special Commitee on the Misuse of Drugs Bill a very long time to conclude, but it finally concluded its work some weeks ago and we are now in the happy position of having the Tánaiste here in the House today. I would ask, therefore, that the Order of Business be amended to include No. 9 and to take it after the first item on the order so that this Bill which has been pressed by its promoters for 18 months since it got its first reading be given time in this House, or if not, that the Leader of the House ensure that a date be given for the taking of the Second Stage of this Bill before the House rises for the Recess.
Is the Senator moving the amendment or foreshadowing it?
I must wait for an indication from the Leader of the House.
The position, as far as the order of events is concerned, is as Senator Robinson has stated that when the Committee consideration of the Drugs Bill was concluded in the Dáil I spoke to the Tánaiste with regard to this Bill as I anticipated Senator Robinson raising it. So far as he is concerned it would not be convenient for him to deal with the Bill this side of the Summer Recess. If Senator Robinson wishes to move her amendment it becomes a matter for the House.
The position is impossible for a private Member tabling legislation. This Bill was given its First Reading by the House in December, 1974. I have waited patiently since then but it appears now that it is not convenient for the Tánaiste to take it. It depends on what is meant by convenience. It is not convenient either for the majority of women in Ireland, the majority of the population, who want to see a change in the law.
If the Senator moves an amendment, the House will decide whether the Bill should be included in today's Order of Business.
It is being proposed that the Order of Business for today be items 1, 2, 3, and 4. An amendment is being proposed that item No. 9 be added to that list.
I move:
That Item 9 be added to the Order of Business.
Question "That the amendment be made" put and declared lost.
Order of Business agreed to.