It is proposed to take items Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4. No. 1 is purely formal; the matter was debated last week on the expediency motion. In regard to No. 4, it is proposed to take the Second Stage only today and to take the Committee Stage after lunch tomorrow. In that connection I would suggest that even when it comes to 8 o'clock, if the Second Stage is nearly completed we should sit beyond 8 o'clock to complete the Second Stage. Tomorrow it is proposed to take the Criminal Justice Bill, Second Stage in part, in the morning and, as I have already mentioned, the Committee Stage of the Misuse of Drugs Bill in the afternoon.
Order of Business.
On the Order of Business, might I ask if this House could request the Minister for Justice to give some assurances not alone to the people in County Meath but to the Members of this House and the people generally that the disgraceful occurrence in Slane over the weekend will not be allowed to recur——
This does not arise on the Order of Business.
——and that adequate precautions will be taken in future with adequate Garda protection being afforded to citizens?
I will have to ask the Senator to resume his seat.
Can I raise it on some other——
I am sorry, the Senator will have to resume his seat.
On the Order of Business, might I ask the Chair for guidance? On the procedure for reporting back from Joint Committees of the Houses of the Oireachtas — I am thinking particularly of the Joint Services Committee who deal with the restaurant — could we be assured that there would be a facility afforded to us to discuss the findings of that committee? As a Member of this House I read about it in a newspaper. Yet there is no facility whereby I can make a contribution on a matter about which there is widespread public concern, particularly in regard to subvention of the restaurant by the taxpayer. Could a procedure be divised whereby there would be a report?
The Senator may put down a motion on the matter. I am calling on the Leader of the House.
In regard to the question of the reporting of committees generally, I have already given an indication that it is hoped to make an arrangement for the debating of all reports received from Joint Committees. It is hoped to initiate that immediately on resumption after the recess.
Order of Business agreed to.