It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 in that order.
Order of Business.
On the Order of Business, in view of the fact that the British Government are announcing proposals for the Government of Northern Ireland this afternoon and as this is the only House of the Oireachtas in session, would the Leader of the House consider giving time to the House to discuss these proposals tomorrow?
In common with other Independent Senators I have my name to motion No. 21 on the Order Paper:
That Seanad Éireann, noting the continuing impasse in Northern Ireland, calls for constructive attitudes and constructive policies which will lead to a resolution of the problem.
I have asked the Leader of the House on a number of occasions if it would be possible to arrange a debate on this subject before the recess. There were certain difficulties which I appreciate and, while I feel a good deal of sympathy with Senator Cooney's request, I would like to ask the Leader of the House, if it does not prove possible to discuss this matter before the summer recess, to give a commitment to have a debate on this motion at the beginning of the new session in the autumn.
I should like to express my support for Senator Cooney's proposal and to put it in much stronger terms than Senator West has now expressed because, as Senator Cooney said, a new initiative is about to be announced and there could not be a more appropriate time to discuss constructive attitudes and constructive policies and give us an opportunity not alone to speak of the British-Northern Ireland connection but the constructive attitudes and policies which we hope our Government have in preparation.
A few weeks ago I urged the prior claim of another motion on the basis that we were awaiting a British initiative and we did not know its content. We will know its content by the end of today so any desire for delay that I previously had is removed. I simply want to add my voice to those who urge on the Leader of the House the desirability of taking up this topic—I would wish before the Seanad rises.
The only way this matter could come before the House is by way of a motion. There is a motion dealing with Northern Ireland but we have agreed on the way in which motions will be taken by this House, that is to say, that each group gets a turn. The one on Northern Ireland is not next for consideration. We have adhered to a certain pattern and we would be departing from that pattern by taking it now. The next motion that would be taken, if the House has time to take a motion before it adjourns, is a Fianna Fáil motion and I am not prepared to depart from the order in which we have dealt with this matter up to now.
The debate on the Order of Business is concluded.
I want to object to the lack of candour in this House as shown by the Minister for Finance, Deputy O'Kennedy, last week.
This does not arise on the Order of Business.
I am in order and I am entitled to raise this matter because it affects this House.
We cannot have any further discussion on this. We must get the Order of Business right first.
It affects this House because on that occasion there was a direct question asked of the Minister, Deputy O'Kennedy, as to whether in fact the resource tax would cease. I find it very difficult to understand that on one day the Minister for Finance——
This does not arise on the Order of Business and the Senator will not be allowed to make any statement on it. I ask the Senator to resume his seat. The Senator is being very disorderly.
A Chathaoirligh——
The Government are afraid to have a debate on Northern Ireland.
The Opposition cannot make up their minds.
Order of Business agreed to.