Seanad Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 23 Mar 1977

Vol. 86 No. 6

Business of the Seanad.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

I have notice from Senator Mary Robinson that, on the motion for the adjournment of the House, she proposes to raise the following matter:

The failure of the Revenue Commissioners to amend the notices informing visitors and Irish residents of the categories of prohibited goods which may not be imported, in order to have such notices comply with the Supreme Court decision in the McGee Case in December, 1973.

I am accepting that notice and the matter will be taken from 8 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. or earlier if the business ordered is concluded.

Mr. M.J. O'Higgins

On the question of the Adjournment, I think it might be a mistake to fix a definite hour because the business in the House will be Nos. 1 and 2. We want to finish No. 1 and also No. 2, if possible. In other words, I am suggesting that we might leave open our finishing.

Mr. W. Ryan

I thought the hours of business were fixed already. Is that not so?

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

It is a matter for the House to decide on each occasion.

Mr. M.J. O'Higgins

If it is not otherwise ordered the hours are fixed. The difficulty about No. 1, I should mention, is that the Minister wants to get all Stages this week. He will not be available next week. It is open to us, of course, to set tomorrow if Senators want to do that in order to finish.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

On notice of a motion on the adjournment, the Standing Order requires that I nominate the time. Presumably at 8 o'clock I might be in a position to nominate a time if the House would agree or if they want to fix a different time.

Mr. M.J. O'Higgins

I think that would be quite agreeable—8 o'clock unless there is some arrangement made in the meantime to alter the hours. Is that the suggestion?

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

We will leave the matter at 8 o'clock then.