It is proposed to take Nos. 5, 6 and 8.
Order of Business.
Before commenting on the Order of Business, may I take the opportunity of extending my personal congratulations to you as An Cathaoirleach. I recall your contributions on both sides of the House and that is an excellent training ground for being a very fair and helpful Cathaoirleach.
I would like at this stage on the Order of Business of the first sitting day, as I did on the first sitting day of the last Seanad on 8 October 1981, to ask the then Leader of the House, as I now ask Senator Eoin Ryan as Leader, when it may be possible to have the necessary motion to establish the Joint Committee on EEC legislation. I urged this on the last occasion because I pointed to the fact that when the first joint committee was automatically dissolved at the general election in May 1977, the new committee was not re-established until late December 1977 and did not begin work until end-January 1978 and I was anxious that the committee should be established at the first opportunity. Although we did pass the motion through this and the other House, the committee was not established before the general election this time. Now we have the position that there has been no joint committee scrutinising draft EEC legislation since May 1981. Neither has there been scrutiny of the implementation here of EEC law. When we look at the scope, the penetration, the importance and the way it affects every aspect of our lives, it is a matter of great urgency.
I wish to make a direct appeal to the Leader of the House, having been a distinguished member of the Joint Committee on EEC legislation, to take it upon himself to seek actively the tabling of the necessary motion so that the committee can be formed. I hope he will ensure that this committee will be working before the Houses rise for the summer recess.
On the Order of Business, may I point out that I and some of my provincial colleagues received the Order of Business only yesterday in the post: though the results of the elections for Seanad Éireann were known nearly three weeks, it is extraordinary that we got such derisorily short notice. Of course this is not the fault of the officers of the House but one hopes that it will not set the pattern for the session of this Seanad. It has also been customary for some of us on the first sitting day to express our hopes for the House and that it will be a more significant forum in public life than it has been up to now. Earlier I was glad to pay tribute to the Cathaoirleach's commitment to the House. May I make the same point about the Leader of the House, Senator Eoin Ryan. I renew an appeal I made last July that the Government should make whatever contribution they can, and soon, towards a better performance of this House in the role allotted to it by the Constitution.
The public do not know or care very much about the existence of this House. We all know that it has fallen from the high role which was originally allocated to it under the Constitution. I hope that the Cathaoirleach will preside over a reformed Seanad, or a Seanad in the course of reform, during her term of office.
With regard to Senator Robinson's observations, it is hardly necessary for me to point out that the primary responsibility during the last eight or nine months for getting this joint committee into operation was not on those who were in Opposition at that time. I share her concern that this joint committee should be set up as soon as possible, particularly in view of the fact that it has not been in operation for so long. I will do everything to ensure that it is set up as soon as possible and that the necessary resolutions will be passed in this House.
With regard to the observations of Senator Murphy, I share his general views about the importance of giving this House as much work as possible and enabling it to play an important part. Again, in so far as it lies in my power, I will ensure that that will be done.
Order of Business agreed to.