It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 2 and 3. It is proposed to suspend the sitting from 5.30 to 6.30 p.m. and to take No. 3 from 6.30 to 8 p.m. For the benefit of Senators, it is proposed to sit tomorrow and No. 2 will then be taken if not disposed of today. Nos. 4, 5 and 6 on today's Order Paper will also be taken tomorrow. In addition, I understand that the discussion on the Archives Bill will be completed in Dáil Éireann today and that an amendment to the Bill will be made. In the interests of avoiding further delay in bringing in this legislation, after consultation with the other groups, it has been agreed that the Dáil amendment will be taken in this House at 2 p.m. tomorrow, Thursday, 8 May.
Order of Business.
On No. 2, I presume it is only intended that if it is not finished today we continue Second Stage tomorrow and that there is no possibility of going any further with that this week? In view of the fact that there are a number of very important items coming up in the next few weeks, I wonder could the Leader of the House give us an indication as to what he would consider to be the likely business over the next two weeks?
Concerning Item No. 1, in the event of Second Stage being completed today, could the Leader of the House tell us when it is proposed to take the Committee Stage of this Bill. I should like to inform the Leader of the House that I shall not be here next week because of Council of Europe commitments. I would be grateful if he could facilitate us because I would like to be present for the Committee Stage.
I understand there are still a number of speakers offering and I think it is unlikely that the Second Stage of No. 1 would be completed today. I understand also there will be amendments down for Committee Stage. It is a possibility that Committee Stage will be taken next week but the probability is that it will not. In regard to No. 2, the proposal is only to take the Second Stage of that particular Bill.
In regard to what might be anticipated during the next few weeks, I would like to confirm that the situation remains as previously indicated, that is, that the House will be asked to sit next week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. On Tuesday and Wednesday morning it will be proposed to complete the Second Stage of the CIE Bill, if that has not already been done, and possibly also of the Courts Bill. It is unlikely that we would proceed to Committee Stage. The Finance Bill will be taken on the afternoon of Wednesday, 14 May, allowing for the Second Stage to be debated for the remainder of that day, sitting late if necessary, and for the whole of the following day.
In the following week it is likely that the House will be asked to sit for four days: on Tuesday and Wednesday in order to take the Finance Bill in Committee, and on Thursday and Friday in order to devote two full days to the Constitutional Amendment Bill. If the debate on the Constitutional Amendment Bill is not completed in those two full days, it would be necessary, if the referendum is to be held before the end of June, that the House should sit on Monday, 26 May, to have a third full day's debate on the Constitutional Amendment Bill.
Order of Business agreed to.
I should like to ask the Seanad to congratulate the victorious Laois team on emerging as winners of the national league after 60 years. While I agree that there are many Members here who are used to such celebrations, I think that the win has given ——
Senator O'Brien will be up in a minute sympathising with the Monaghan team and I will be in trouble.
Take that as unanimous.
I was thinking Senator Killilea might give notice to the Leader of the House as to when he would be available for the Transport Bill.