Seanad Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 4 Jun 1986

Vol. 113 No. 3

Order of Business.

Professor Dooge

It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 in that order and, assuming that it is convenient with the course of the business, to suspend the sitting from 5.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. and according to the usual custom, to take the Private Members' business from 6.30 p.m. until 8 o'clock. I might indicate for the information of Senators that there has been a general agreement that the business tomorrow would be, first, to take No. 15 on today's Order Paper, which is a series of amendments to the Road Transport Bill, a Bill we have already dealt with. After that it is proposed to take the Committee Stage of No. 2, the Dublin Transport Authority Bill, and following that to continue and hopefully conclude motion No. 7, the Report of the Development Committee on the Bilateral Aid Programme.

Senators are aware that there is a large amount of legislation on the Order Paper. There is also a large amount of legislation on the Dáil Order Paper. I am sure in consequence, many Senators are becoming anxious in regard to the adjournment of the House. Following discussion with representatives of the groups it appears that there is a desire that the House should, while continuing to meet two days a week, work longer hours and accordingly the proposal is, and I am just giving notice of this as a proposal, that from next week onwards the House would meet on Wednesday at 12 noon instead of at 2.30 p.m. and that it would sit until 10 p.m. rather than 8 p.m.; that on a Thursday the House would assemble at 10 a.m. instead of at 10.30 a.m. and that the time of adjournment would depend on the amount of business to be done. Most Senators would find it convenient if we were able to adjourn as we presently do, at about 5 p.m. but that may not be possible.

Mr. W. Ryan

We are not sitting tonight until 10 p.m.?

Professor Dooge

No, assuming that the Second Stage of the Dublin Transport Authority Bill would have been concluded and that we would be then be on the Domicile and Recognition of Foreign Divorces Bill, the Minister in charge of this would not be available between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Mr. Killilea

On the Order of Business, I want to ask a question concerning the Transport (Re-organisation of Córas Iompair Éireann) Bill. I had a conversation this morning with the Leader of the House and I agreed, as my party's spokesman, that we would try to take it on Wednesday of next week. It is very important that we should. I know there are major problems concerning this Bill between the Labour Party and the Fine Gael Party but I hope they will resolve their problems this week so that we can proceed with it. It is very important legislation and we should deal with it as quickly as possible. It was in the belief that that would be done that we agreed to No. 15 for tomorrow. I want to thank the Leader of the House for the courteous way in which he went about his business this morning.

Mrs. McGuinness

Before we go into the business of the House there is a matter which I would like to mention as a woman Member of this House. I would like to pay tribute to Senator Mary Davidson who died during the past week. She was an important woman Member of this House, one of the earlier women Members of this House, who was, above all, a woman of devotion and conscientiousness to all the business of the Seanad. In particular she took a great interest in the matter of the registration of nursing homes and the protection of old people who lived in nursing homes. As Senator Ryan and myself recently had a motion on this matter, in which we referred to her, I felt it was appropriate that one of us should pay tribute to her in that she was the first person who looked for legislation and indeed was instrumental in getting legislation about the registration of nursing homes. I understand that she died during the past week and I would not like the occasion to pass by without paying tribute to the qualities she brought to the Seanad and to the work she did in the Seanad.

Mr. Killilea

Hear, hear.

Mr. Ferris

I want to join with Senator McGuinness and with other Members of the House in paying tribute to the late Mary Davidson. She was, as everybody knows, general secretary of the Labour Party for many years and a Senator in her own right, arising out of her nomination. She was held in the highest esteem in the party and in this House during her long period in office. It was a matter of regret to us, as a political party, that we lost somebody of Mary's calibre. It is appropriate that this House should recognise the sterling service she gave. I hope she is in her eternal resting place where she deserves to be after serving her country and her party well for many years.

Whereas I accept the comments of Senator Killilea, it is appropriate that we reach agreement on when we would take any legislation. There are other people in this House with whom we have also to reach agreement and that includes the Labour Party, Fine Gael and the Independents.

Mr. Killilea

I know. It is an awful problem.

Mr. Ferris

In an effort to reach agreement with everybody, Senator Killilea will be accorded the courtesy of being informed when we have reached agreement about it. There are problems with the legislation. We have had discussions with the Minister. It is appropriate that he should be given time to consider our suggestions as a Labour Party. We owe apologies to nobody for making those suggestions on the legislation. When it reaches the House I hope there will have been agreement on all sides about it.

Mr. Killilea

On the Order of Business—

An Cathaoirleach

You have already spoken, Senator.

Mr. Killilea

I did not want an apology from anybody. I only wanted to have the legislation put before the House.

(Interruptions)

Mr. B. Ryan

Sentor Ryan is being intimidated, it is very easily done.

An Cathaoirleach

I think it is worse than that, it is the Chair.

Mr. B. Ryan

I never noticed that that was possible at all. Perhaps I do not have Senator Killilea's technique. Last week I, perhaps naively, welcomed the statement by the Deputy Leader of the House about the Bill on the abolition of the death penalty. I got the distinct impression that it was the intention that it would be discussed today. In that context I welcomed it and said very flattering words about the Deputy Leader. I do not want to withdraw the flattering words. I am mindful of an old latin proverb "Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes": I am fright ened of the Greeks when they come bearing gifts. I obviously mistook a gift for something else. I am sorry it is number 5. It would have been very appropriate on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the founding of Amnesty International to abolish once and for all that barbarous activity or proposal for activity which is the death penalty.

Mr. Ross

I was under exactly the same impression as Senator Ryan. I would like to ask about No. 5 because this has been ordered and has been jumping up and down on the Order Paper for a very long time. We have had a three hour debate on it. I have asked the Leader of the House on several occasions if it is the Government's intention to give us time for this Bill. Another death sentence was commuted last week. We are still going through the farce of death sentences being imposed and then being commuted. There is a perfectly good Bill on the Order Paper of this House to abolish the death sentence. What I would like to hear, even if we are not going to be given time, is what the Government's position on the death penalty is, whether they have any intention of abolishing it or whether they have any intention of accepting this Bill or debating it at all. Although it is ordered No. 5 this evening, everybody knows it will not come up. It has been ordered in that position before.

Mr. Cassidy

I would like to ask the Leader of the House when it is proposed to take No. 26. He was to have word for me on several occasions but I read in the paper over the last week that last Friday the Coalition partners were having a chat about it. I want to know if there is any news from that meeting. Will it be taken before the summer recess or before the end of the Government's term of office?

Professor Dooge

In regard to No. 5, I was asked what is the Government's position. My understanding of the Government's position in regard to the question of the abolition of the death penalty is precisely that for which the Government parties voted in this House on Second Stage on a previous occasion. I am speaking for myself and, I am sure, for all my colleagues when I say I will be only too glad to repeat that vote at the earliest possible opportunity. I will once again convey the anxiety of Members of all groups in the House that this matter should be resolved as soon as possible. This was done by the Deputy Leader last week and by me on previous occasions. I do not want to give any pledges whatsoever but I do feel there is a growing sense of urgency in the responses which are being received.

In regard to No. 26, I am sorry that I was not privy to the discussions last week on the Broadcasting and Wireless Telegraphy Bill which would enable me to inform Senator Cassidy whether any progress was made. I have to confess ignorance in this regard.

Finally, I could not allow the occasion to pass without joining in the tribute to Mary Davidson. There are very few of us here who served with her in the Seanad. Anyone who did serve with her could not fail to be impressed by her commonsense and useful and constructive contributions to our debates. She was for many years the only woman Member of the Seanad. She was not merely a representative on women's issues. Her interests were wide. In her quiet manner she was a most effective and valuable Member of this House.

Mr. W. Ryan

I would like, on behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party, to be associated with the vote of sympathy to the relatives of Senator Davidson. I had the privilege of knowing the lady. She was here in my time in the House. She was a person for whom I had great regard.

Order of Business agreed to.