When is it proposed to sit again?
Business of Seanad.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
It is proposed to sit next Wednesday at 2.30 p.m.
In connection with that proposal, I have circulated a motion on the telecommunications dispute. It is now only 6 o'clock and the normal end of sitting time is 8.30 p.m. I see no reason why the House, when all Members have assembled here in Dublin, would not meet immediately or after an interval for tea to discuss the motion. There is no issue at the moment of greater importance than the telecommunications dispute. The Members of this House should have an opportunity to express their concern. Industrialists all over the country, particularly in the west who are furthest away from the centre of population, are seriously affected.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
I must remind the Senator that the business ordered for today has been completed and the question is that the House now adjourns.
I am suggesting that the House might reconsider. I am sure the House has power to reorder its own affairs and could now decide to sit to discuss this motion.
We ordered business and if Senator Cooney had wished to raise this and discussed it earlier perhaps it would be a different situation. The House has decided what its business should be for the day and therefore I move the adjournment.
I raised this point on the Order of Business and at that stage it was put to me that a motion was not circulated. A motion has since been circulated and there is time available to discuss it. A matter of greater importance I cannot imagine and I am asking the Senators on the other side to give time to discuss this matter and to show their concern over this problem. If the other side will not discuss this important matter we will have to vote on this and put it on record that Fianna Fáil are not prepared to allow the Seanad to discuss the telecommunications dispute.
Question put: "That the Seanad adjourn until 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 26 April 1978."
The Seanad divided: Tá, 21; Níl, 15.
Tá
- Brennan, Séamus.
- Cassidy, Eileen.
- Conroy, Richard.
- Cranitch, Mícheál.
- de Brún, Séamus.
- Donnelly, Michael Patrick.
- Ellis, John.
- Goulding, Lady.
- Hanafin, Des.
- Harney, Mary.
- Herbert, Anthony.
- Hillery, Brian.
- Honan, Tras.
- Hyland, Liam.
- Jago, R. Valentine.
- Kitt, Michael.
- Lanigan, Michael.
- McGowan, Patrick.
- Mulcahy, Noel William.
- Ryan, Eoin.
- Ryan, William.
Níl
- Blennerhassett, John.
- Burke, Liam.
- Butler, Pierce.
- Connaughton, Paul.
- Cooney, Patrick Mark.
- FitzGerald, Alexis.
- Governey, Desmond.
- Harte, John.
- Howard, Michael.
- Kilbride, Thomas.
- Lyons, Michael Dalgan.
- McCartin, John Joseph.
- Markey, Bernard.
- Molony, David.
- O'Brien, Andy.
Tellers: Tá Senators W. Ryan and Brennan; Níl, Senators Burke and Harte.
Question declared carried.
The Seanad adjourned at 6.10 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 26 April 1978