It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 2, and 3 in that order. It is proposed to adjourn for lunch from 12.30 to 2 p.m. and we will take no new business after 3.30 p.m. in view of the Adjournment Matter. I wish to advise the House that representations have been made to me about next week's sittings. In view of the coming bank holiday week end it is not proposed to sit on Tuesday but to sit on Wednesday and Thursday of next week. It is appropriate this morning, the 25th anniversary of Amnesty International, that we as a House should request the Minister to apply himself to taking No. 15 as quickly as possible. I hope with the permission of the House to request the Minister to do that.
Order of Business.
May I ask the Leader of the House when it is proposed to take the Committee Stage of re-organisation of CIE Bill?
On the Order of Business, I wonder if the acting Leader of the House would be prepared to give time today to debate the situation with regard to the agricultural officers' strike, which has totally paralysed the whole agricultural industry. If he is not prepared to do so, would we be entitled under Standing Order 29 to have the matter debated.
I would like to protest at the fact that it is proposed to take No. 3, that is the Domicile and Recognition of Foreign Divorces Bill, 1985. That is a very technical measure even though it is short, it is a complex and technical measure. Very inadequate notice was given to Members of this House that it was proposed to take that measure today. I would ask the acting Leader to reconsider the question of whether that matter should be taken today.
I would like to join with Senator Ferris in sending good wishes to Amnesty International. Amnesty International have done fantastic work throughout the world in the last 25 years. At a time when there must be monitoring of the atrocities that are being committed throughout the world by governments, it is appropriate that we would convey our congratulations to Amnesty. We met some people from Nicaragua yesterday. Amnesty are afraid that the situation in Nicaragua is deteriorating to the extent that the American Government are using the Contras to kidnap people who are working in Nicaragua on a voluntary basis. Four German volunteers are missing in Nicaragua, having been kidnapped by the Contras. There is no doubt that these kidnappings were carried out in collusion with American forces. I would appeal that every effort should be made by the German Government to——
This is not relevant to the Order of Business.
——use their good offices with the Americans to ensure that these German citizens are freed and that no such political kidnappings should be allowed to happen again in Nicaragua.
Whatever I wanted to say on the Order of Business, my breath has been taken away by the acting Leader of the House. It is the first time since I became a Member of this House that the Leader of the House or anyone deputising for him actually announced, without being asked, that a Private Member's Bill was going to be taken very quickly. Since I am co-sponsor of the Bill I am very grateful for that. Can I beg your indulgence to associate myself with the congratuations to Amnesty International. Without being contentious may I also remind this House that it is not just far away countries that Amnesty International have been critical of. They have been critical in very trenchant terms of the way in which we deal with our prisoners under certain circumstances. As well as examining the conscience of the world we should also examine our own conscience.
We are getting far away from the Order of Business.
I see yet again that Fianna Fáil have been converted to our point of view about American policy in Nicaragua. We are now apparently at one, after four years of education. I welcome them for the second time in a month to the club who recognise the realities of the world.
We will leave Fianna Fáil.
I agree with Senator Ellis's view on the agricultural dispute. It is very important and perhaps the Leader of the House might consider taking it up under Standing Order 29.
There was very little notice about the Domicile and Recognition of Foreign Divorces Bill being taken today. When the Order of Business is decided here do we adhere to it? For example, we had a situation yesterday where Items Nos. 1, 2 and 3 were ordered but then later in the day No. 4 was ordered. It is very unfair to Senators that business can be ordered in their absence. They could be attending meetings or meeting deputations and would not know what was happening. That was an important item. It related to the work being done on this House. Some Senators missed it and others could have missed it who were anxious to contribute to it.
It is not unusual for the Order of Business to change. It can change at any time during the day, so I suggest that Senators watch the monitors and stay in touch with their Whips or with the Party Leaders. I cannot talk individually to 60 Senators. I do try to reach agreement and did in fact reach agreement. I could speak further on why No. 4 was taken but I will not. I think Senator Kiely should have discussed it with the Leader of his own party. It was done by agreement and by agreement of the House afterwards. I already apologised last night to Senator Kiely that he was unaware of the change. It can happen and if it requires to happen at any particular time during any day I hope we can reach an agreement. We must run the House as efficiently as possible. I shall communicate with Senator Durcan about his concern in that regard but again that was discussed last week by the Leader of his group that it should be in the interest of the House to take it. I discussed it with the Minister and the Minister of State for Women's Affairs who is ready to take it. It is a short Bill. I also discussed it with the spokesman on Justice for the Fianna Fáil Party who was aware of the possibility that it might have been taken either last night or today. We may not get to it today in time but it is appropriate to order it.
Standing Order 29 is a matter for the Chair. I share the concern of the House about the ongoing dispute. It is very serious and I will be availing of the opportunity today to discuss it with the Minister for Labour. That is another matter and not on the clár of this House. It is within the jurisdiction of the Cathaoirleach to decide on Standing Order 29 and he will duly come back to us with a report if it is considered that the appropriate notice has been given.
Senator Killilea asked the question about the Committee Stage of the Bill on CIE re-organisation. It is proposed to take it next Wednesday, 4 June at 2.30 p.m. and it is hoped that the Minister will be available.
I hope that the Combat Poverty Bill, which passed through this House and which had two technical amendments made to it in the Dáil will be the first item on next week's sitting. It is an important Bill and the Dáil amendment has to get this House's approval. That will possibly be No. 1 and I expect that the CIE Bill will be next.
I want to thank Senators Lanigan and Ryan for their support of Amnesty International. I join with Senator Lanigan on his comments about Nicaragua. We might have a resolution we could put down in this House to which every party could subscribe and not just make it a party political issue.
Order of Business agreed to.
With regard to the request from Senator Ellis. I have nothing in writing on Standing Order 29. If it comes to me in writing I will consider it. I have committed myself and the House to Senator Killilea's request. However, if Senator Ellis's motion is taken Senator Killilea's motion cannot be taken. It is a pity this was not mentioned in the office before we came in and made the commitment to Senator Killilea.
I think under Standing Order 29 it is only where an adjournment of the House is sought to debate the matter. Therefore it will not affect Senator Killilea.
It will. If it is given to me in writing I will certainly look at it.