Seanad Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 14 May 1986

Vol. 112 No. 10

Order of Business.

Professor Dooge

It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 2 and 3. It is proposed if No. 1 is not completed by 12 noon to interrupt the debate in order to take the Finance Bill from 12 noon onwards. It is proposed to suspend the sitting from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and again from 5.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. It is proposed to take No. 3 from 6.30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and then resume debate on No. 2 until 10 p.m.

I asked the other day a specific question about the Copyright Bill which has been discussed in this House and then sent to the Dáil and delayed there. I understand that there are no difficulties and that it is a matter for finding time for it in the Dáil business. There are no further difficulties in regard to the Bill itself.

Mr. Lynch

I would like to thank the Leader of the House for mentioning this fact about the Copyright Bill. We want to facilitate the Government in passing this Bill. We are all very concerned about the spread of video nasties in this country. The main thrust of this Bill is to curb the spread of video nasties.

Mr. M. Higgins

I would like your guidance on a matter. I think it would be very appropriate that this House should record its regret and sympathy on the death of a major intellectual, Peadar O'Donnell, a former Member of the Oireachtas, a great trade union organiser and a great contributor to the integration in Irish life of writing, art and politics. He was also a great internationalist as well as a nationalist. If I am not out of order we might record our sympathy and regret at his passing.

Mr. B. Ryan

If I can beg your indulgence for a further moment on the same issue, I would wish to be associated with Senator Higgins. I never knew Peadar O'Donnell. I never met him. For me he was one of the great inspirational figures of Irish history, above all in his courage in maintaining a struggle when it was neither popular nor profitable for himself. Our country is a lot the poorer for his passing in one way but what he did for his country has enriched us. He will never be gone from us and, therefore, what he has contributed in his spirit is now part of the Irish nation.

Séamus de Brún

Ba mhaith liom cuidiú leis an moladh atá déanta le homós a thabhairt do Pheadar Ó Domhnaill. Is cuí agus is ceart focal Gaeilge a labhairt anseo á chomóradh agus ag déanamh comhbhróin lena mhuintir agus, dá n-abróinn é, leis an tír ar fad faoi ar fheabhas agus a bhí sé mar Ghaelgeoir, mar náisiúnaí agus mar dhuine a labhair amach i gcónaí ar son a mhuintire, ar son na tíre agus ar son an náisiúin Ghaelaí nuair a bhí gá leis.

Is mian liom bheith páirteach sa rún seo agus déanaim comhbhrón lena ghaolta agus lena chairde.

Professor Dooge

Ar an gcéad dul síos ba mhaith liom cuidiú leis an méid atá ráite i dtaobh Pheadair Uí Dhomhnaill. Bhí aithne agam air. Fear ann féin ab ea é agus tá an tír go léir níos fearr de bharr na rudaí a scríobh sé agus a rinne sé.

In regard to the question on the Order of Business about the Copyright Bill it is hoped to take that within the next week or so. It is only a matter of taking time, and I would hope it would be back to us very quickly in the Seanad.

Order of Business agreed to.