It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 2 and 3 in that order and the Garda Siochána Bill, 1979, if it is received from the Dáil. I also propose that we sit until 10.30 tonight, if necessary, to complete the business.
Order of Business.
We do not know what state the Garda Síochána Bill will be in when it is sent to us from the Dáil. How could we possibly take a measure that we will not have read? What is expected of Members in this House? Should we adopt Senator Harney's acceptance of us as a rubber stamp and pass it without a debate?
I would like to support Senator FitzGerald in his criticism. This House is being treated very shabbily this week. We had to get the Finance Bill through yesterday. We sat until 11 p.m. because the Minister was running out of time to sanction the decisions taken in the budget. We are now being asked to take the university representation Bill because the time limit for having this Bill submitted to a referendum on 5 July is running out. There is failure by the Government to manage Bills.
I know the Leader of the House is not responsible for the Government's or the Minister's timing of when Bills are presented but this House should not be asked to take yet another measure in this emergency way without time to consider it. I would ask that this Bill be postponed until Senators have had proper time to consider the debate in the Dáil, to consider the Bill and to consider any amendments that may or may not have been made to the Bill. It would be an abuse of this House to try to rush that Bill through this evening given that we have already been tolerant of two measures which the Seanad did not have proper time to debate. The fact that the Finance Bill—a major Bill requiring a great deal of extended concentration by the Senators who where here—was passed yesterday should be enough without trying to burden us with a Bill which we have not yet had sight of and which is still before the Dáil. Since it is a measure which has been rendered necessary by certain events it can wait until next week or until the Seanad next sits so that we can consider it properly and seriously.
The Bill has not been received from the Dáil. It can be mentioned again if and when it is received.
Order of Business agreed to.
- Prelude
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- An Bille um an Seachtú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Forais Árdoideachais do Thoghadh Comhaltaí de Sheanad Eireann), 1979: An Dara Céim. Seventh Amendment of the Constitution (Election of Members of Seanad Éireann by Institutions of Higher Education) Bill, 1979: Second Stage.