It is proposed to take Items Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 together, 6 and 7, to be taken in that order. It is proposed to take all Stages of No. 2, the Irish Steel Limited (Amendment) Bill today, but if Senators wish for an opportunity to put down amendments or to consider contributions for the Committee Stage I would suggest that this could be accommodated by taking No. 3 at the conclusion of the Second Stage and when No. 3 is disposed of going back to the Committee Stage of No. 2. As in the prior part of the debate, Nos. 4 and 5, which both deal with tourism, will be taken together.
Since this is the last full sitting day of the Seanad for this year I take this opportunity of thanking all Members of the Seanad, the officials of the House, those belonging to the joint staff of the Houses of the Oireachtas, the press and others who have contributed to the work of this House during the past year.
Senators may be interested to know that the number of sitting days this year surpassed last year's number of sitting days, which was itself the second highest on record. While the Seanad, which is precluded from dealing with such matters as Estimates and treaties, does not have the same workload as the Dáil, nevertheless the Seanad during the past year has shown an eagerness somewhat more than that of the Dáil, since the Seanad sat in more weeks. The Seanad sat in 32 weeks of this year compared with 27 weeks for the Dáil. There was an initial reluctance on the part of some Members to meet that frequently. I, as Leader of the House, thank them for complying and, indeed, for their contributions throughout the year.
It is interesting also that the Seanad has now a regularity in its business that is quite remarkable. For a very long time the Seanad met intermittently and its customary method of ending its business was to adjourn sine die with complete uncertainty as to when business would come from the Dáil. The question of uncertainty in regard to when business comes from the Dáil is not at an end, as we all know from time to time; but the Seanad has managed, partly through the manner in which it is discussing reports of joint committees, to establish the regularity. It is rather interesting that it is over two years since the Seanad adjourned sine die. In what we have done during the past year and in the way we have done it, this House can take some degree of pride. Perhaps we should congratulate ourselves because it is unlikely that anyone else will do so.
