Seanad Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 3 May 1978

Vol. 88 No. 11

Joint Committee on the Secondary Legislation of the European Communities: Motion.

Mr. E. Ryan

I move:

That, in the period ending 31 December 1978, notwithstanding anything contained in Standing Orders and unless the Seanad shall otherwise order, if the Joint Committee on the Secondary Legislation of the European Communities lays before the Seanad a report containing a request for a debate thereon in the Seanad, one hour and a half shall be set aside for debate on a motion. That the Seanad take note of such report, on the first day on which the Seanad shall sit after

(a) six clear days have elapsed since the report was laid before the Seanad, and

(b) due notice of the motion has been received by the Clerk from a Member nominated by the Joint Committee.

Mrs. Robinson

I particularly welcome this motion proposed by Senator Ryan that the Seanad introduce an automatic system for debating the reports of the Joint Committee on the Secondary Legislation of the European Communities if the members of that Committee have requested a debate. During the time of the previous Joint Committee the members of that Committee assessed the performance of that Committee and published a report in which they criticised the fact that none of the reports which had been submitted by the Committee was debated in either House of the Oireachtas. They considered this to be a very substantial democratic failure because they were a Joint Committee whose function it was to report to both Houses, drawing their attention to draft regulations and directives. The Committee concluded, unanimously I think, that unless there was some automatic provision for debate of the reports of the Joint Committee when the Joint Committee itself felt that the matter was important, it would be very difficult to have regular debates on the floor of either the Dáil or Seanad.

The second reason why I welcome this amendment of our Standing Orders, so that we allow an hour and a half for debate of a report and provided six days' notice has been given, that we provide time on the next sitting day of the Seanad, is that this is an initiative by the Seanad. To the best of my knowledge the Dáil has not as yet finally considered the matter in its Committee on Procedure and Privileges and has not made any recommendation. So, to those who think that the Seanad is incapable of taking initiative, this is a good example of a step taken by the Seanad which will enable us automatically to debate the more important reports of the Joint Committee. Because of the extended terms of reference of the Joint Committee there will be, during the course of the year, several very important reports which will come up for debate. I am very glad that the Committee on Procedure and Privileges has recommended it and that the Leader of the House has moved this motion. I give it my wholehearted support.

Mr. Staunton

I would merely like to make one point in regard to this motion. It is in regard to the time limit of one and a half hours. Why should we arbitrarily cut off the time? Do we have the option, when discussing some of these reports, to extend the time limit?

Mr. E. Ryan

I think if a particularly important report was coming before the House, the House, before discussing it, could agree to take a longer time. It would be a matter for an ad hoc decision in relation to a particular report.

Question put and agreed to.