I should like to congratulate the Leader of the House on the presentation made to him in the United States during the week of the William Bowie medal. I would not like to make this a political point but Senator Dooge, in his professional capacity, has earned the acclamation of his chosen profession and I sincerely congratulate him on his major achievements in that field. I hope his chosen field will be outside politics in the future. Nevertheless he holds a prestigious position in academics and I congratulate him on his achievement within that profession.
Business of Seanad.
Thank you very much.
When is it proposed to sit again?
It is proposed to sit again on Tuesday at 2.30 p.m. We have sat for more days than is customary this week and, therefore, we should not take either Private Members' Business or the discussion on any of the reports next week because Senators will not have had an opportunity to prepare for those debates. It is proposed that when we meet on Tuesday the Minister for Health should make his opening speech — possibly an hour or an hour and a half long — on the Control of Clinical Trials Bill. This is a very important measure and one that raises a large number of points. The suggestion is that the Minister should make his Second Stage speech and that the debate should then be adjourned in order to allow Senators to consider what the Minister said.
We could then, with advantage, take up Committee Stage of the Courts Bill on which, judging from the Second Stage, Senators will wish to raise important points. We could continue with the Courts Bill on Wednesday and take the Second Stage of the Dublin Transport Authority Bill. I propose that we should not sit on Thursday, having worked the number of days we have this week. We should content ourselves with two days and then revert to the older and holier habit of not sitting on holy days of obligation, but I think the House will be asked to return to three day sittings on the following week.
The Seanad adjourned at 6.25 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 27 May 1986.