It is proposed to order Nos. 1 and 2 today. It is the general wish of all groups in the House that the debate on No. 1 and the amendment to it should be brought to a conclusion today. Accordingly, my recommendation is that No. 2 should be taken from 6.30 to 8 o'clock and the debate on No. 1 resumed and taken to a conclusion after 8 p.m. on the assumption that it will not have been completed before 6.30 p.m. I would suggest that we go on the tentative basis that there would be a suspension of the sitting from 5.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m., but that matter could, if necessary, be reconsidered in the light of the progress on the debate of No. 1 before 5.30 p.m.
Order of Business.
I suggest we do not break between 5.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. The House will be better facilitated if we work through and get the business of No. 1 in particular as far down the road as possible today and keep going at it.
But putting in the proviso that if the marriage breakdown debate finishes before 5.30 p.m. we will adjourn.
I hope the debate will be finished today and that every opportunity will be taken by everyone who wishes to contribute to it and that they will have the widest possible opportunity to do so. I would remind Senators that there are many people in Northern Ireland of my tradition who are watching carefully the outcome of what is taking place here today.
That does not refer to the business, Senator Robb.
It may not.
I think the Senator had an hour on this last week——
I had indeed, and you were very generous to me. But I would like to say to Senators here, because there was a mis-statement in the report of what I said, that we are facing here today the question: do you want to live in a Catholic country or are we all going to live in a pluralist Ireland? I hope the performance in this House will be better than the performance in the other House.
You cannot make a second speech, Senator. The Senator should resume his seat now.
On item No. 2, many Members seem to be unaware of the existence of the document referred to. It is available in the Seanad office to any Members who want to read it.
Who has suggested that we do not know of the existence of this document? Why should Senator Ryan make a comment of that nature in the House?
I support Senator Lanigan on that remark.
My helpfulness is obviously not wanted, so I withdraw my helpfulness.
I am willing to fall in with the suggestion by the Leader of the Opposition that we do not suspend the sitting and, accordingly, our order would be that we take Nos. 1 and 2, interrupting, if necessary, from 6.30 p.m. to 8 p.m. for No. 2 and taking No. 1 to conclusion.
Order of Business agreed to.