Order of Business.

Mrs. G. Hussey

It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Mr. E. Ryan

I move: "That item No. 14 be added to the Order of Business".

On a number of occasions we have stressed the necessity, urgency and importance of taking this motion but for a number of reasons which were not entirely satisfactory it was found impossible by the Leader of the House to take it. We cannot allow it to be deferred any longer. It is extremely important and I have moved that it be added to the Order of Business for today. If Government business makes it impossible to take it today, then at least it can be put on the Order of Business and taken tomorrow.

Mrs. Honan

I second Senator Ryan's motion. I find it extraordinary that the Government are afraid to let us debate this motion which is, if not more important than, equally important as some of the matters discussed in this House since the new Seanad was elected. This discriminates against 75 per cent of the children of this country and all of the Protestant children in the Twenty-six Counties.

An Cathaoirleach

The merits or demerits of the case cannot be discussed on the Order of Business.

Mr. O'Mahony

Is the Leader of the House in a position to indicate when the relevant motion relating to reconstituting the Joint Committee on State-Sponsored Bodies might be introduced?

Mrs. G. Hussey

On the point raised by Senator E. Ryan, there is no question, as mentioned by another Senator, of this side of the House being afraid to take this motion. I have already indicated on several occasions that we consider this motion of great importance. I would point out that we took a Private Member's motion as recently as last week, and also that this week and next week there will be a great deal of important Government legislation coming before us.

The reasons I put forward on other occasions for not taking that motion were perfectly valid, in that we had a recent threat by an organisation of the institution of legal proceedings. Apparently this threat has not been acted upon, which seems to be very wise. Because we are as convinced as the Opposition of the importance of this motion, and the allied motion No. 15, we intend to order those motions for the first sitting day after Christmas, which will perhaps be quite soon after Christmas. Given the pressure which will be upon us to deal with an enormous amount of business in these two weeks, the first sitting day after Christmas would be the best time to take this motion and therefore I give that undertaking.

On the question of the Joint Committee on State-Sponsored Bodies, as Senators are aware we are taking a motion establishing another joint committee today, which is being initiated in this House. I share Senators' puzzlement about the delay in bringing the other joint committee motion before us, and I can assure Senator O'Mahony that I will be pressing very hard for that to be taken at the first possible opportunity.

Mr. E. Ryan

On a point of order, the question of whether the subject of a motion is sub judice is a matter, in my submission, for the Cathaoirleach to rule on. I am perfectly satisfied to allow the Cathaoirleach to say whether this is a motion on which that should be raised, but with all respect, I do not think it is a matter for the Leader of the House. I cannot understand the attitude she is taking. Apparently she says it will be allowed early in the new year. Has the threat of proceedings now been removed? If it was a good excuse for not taking it up to now, I do not see that there is going to be any change in the new year.

An Cathaoirleach

Is the Senator pressing the amendment?

Mr. E. Ryan

Yes.

An Cathaoirleach

It has been moved: "That the Order of Business be Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 on the Order Paper". To that motion an amendment has been moved to add motion No. 14. The question therefore is "That the amendment be made".

Question put.

The Seanad divided: Tá, 20; Níl, 25.