I move that the House adjourn to a specific date rather than sine die and that it adjourns to 20th October, the week following the recall of the Dáil. Yesterday the House moved the First Stage of a new Bill to prevent dumping at sea. We also have the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Bill on the Order Paper and other Bills in which I have a particular interest. It would be much more desirable that we should adjourn to a particular date rather than sine die which can tend to allow us to drift on for many months after the recall of the Dáil.
Business of Seanad.
I think it would be a great mistake to fix a particular date, especially the date suggested by Senator Robinson. If we adjourn sine die we are free to return at any time, possibly before the Dáil meets, but from a physical point of view we will probably be dependent on the work being done outside.
I would be inclined to support the Leader of the House in regard to a specific date but I would urge him to consider, very seriously, recalling the House in September in order to discuss this plan when it appears. The Minister says it will be discussed with the social partners. Parliament is even more entitled to discuss it. Therefore, the House should have a debate in September and the Leader of the House should not pay too much attention to the problem of the floor in the ante-chamber. We could commit lese majesté and come in by the door the Cathaoirleach uses.
I do not relish a horde of Seanad by-elections on account of coming in through the hall outside.
There is a plan, according to the Minister, and the House should have an opportunity of discussing it. I agree that the House should adjourn sine die so that it can be recalled in the event of a plan being produced.
Or for any other reason.
The Seanad adjourned at 5 p.m. sine die