It is intended to take the Companies (No. 2) Bill, 1987, and item No. 2. I accept Senator O'Toole's apology for the late reception of item No. 2. It will be an indication to him that it is not always possible for either Government or Opposition to order business as it should be ordered.
Order of Business.
I rise to question the situation regarding motions. My interpretation of the rule is that it has to be of national or general importance. I believe that if there is a hole in the roof of a school building in Carrick in County Donegal, it would be unfair of me to come in here and ask the Seanad to note the urgency of making repairs to a school roof in Carrick. We should have some guidelines. If we go on singling out hospitals and schools we will end up dealing with potholes in by-roads. I ask for some guidance on this matter.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
I should like to point out to the Senator that item No. 2 does not fall into that category. I take it the Senator is referring to motions on the Adjournment. The practice in that regard is the result of long experience and the procedure there is well known.
On the Order of Business, may I say on behalf of my party that we profoundly disagree with the points made by the last speaker? In the absence of Question Time in this House the motion on the Adjournment is the only device open to the ordinary Member to highlight a grievance, however small it may be. It is one of our most fundamental and most cherished rights. We would resist any attempt to change that long standing practice.
On the Order of Business I would like to ask the Leader of the House if, in view of the very heavy load of legislation ahead, he can give an early indication of what Bills will be taken in the coming weeks and in what order.
On the Order of Business, I am also concerned about the comments of Senator McGowan particularly as the Standing Orders of the Seanad and its business are the subject matter of discussion by an all party committee. It is inappropriate to be critical of the existing method of ordering the business. We have lived within the existing statutory regulations laid down for the orderly running of the House. Members must have recourse to some method by which they can raise items relative to their constituencies or otherwise. Until such time as the committee, which the Leas-Chathaoirleach chairs, has reported to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and reported finally to this House, it is unfair to criticise Members who use this formula.
Regarding the points mentioned by Senator Manning, as there are many all-party motions on this Order Paper in which many of us have a common interest we ask the Leader of the House, in view of the heavy workload and the fact that he may intend sitting for an increased number of days, is it possible to sit longer hours also to deal with some of the all-party motions particularly in the area of minority rights and the minority religious rights of such people as the Baha' is in Iran and indeed, the Jews in Russia? Perhaps the Leader of the House will address himself to the problem of trying to deal with them without interfering with his responsibility for getting legislation through the House?
Would the Leader of the House ask the Minister for Finance to inform this House on the allocation of moneys from the National Lottery? Deep concern has been shown publicly, particularly by sporting bodies. I would appreciate it if the Leader of the House would ask the Minister for Finance to inform this House when allocations are to be made.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
I appreciate that, but deep concern is being shown publicly.
I ask for some information and guidance from the Leader of the House as to when item No. 44 on the Order Paper will be taken, the motion from Senator J. O'Toole and myself which reads:
That Seanad Éireann in the exercise of the powers conferred on it by section 13 of the undermentioned Act declares that the Extradition (Euro Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism) Act, 1987, shall not come into operation on the 1st day of December 1987.
Bearing in mind, a Leas-Chathaoirligh, your own comments on the way in which this House wishes to deal with matters of urgent national priority, it is certainly the view of Senator J. O'Toole and myself that this is a topical matter, it is a matter of some urgency. It is a matter on which all Members of this House will have a considered and deeply felt view. I would greatly welcome the opportunity now to go into the reasons why I support it but I anticipate your severe ruling in the matter so I will resist the temptation. I believe there will be a general acceptance that this is an area of foreign policy in which the Seanad can play an important role.
May I associate myself with the question raised by Senator Norris? In the light of the obvious attempts of a foreign power to influence the decision of the Oireachtas, it is important that the Oireachtas should assert itself, discuss this matter and take its own free and independent decision, uninfluenced by the influences of other countries who seem to think they have a right to rule our affairs.
Hear, hear.
I agree totally with the last two speakers and I ask the leader of the House if he can give us an assurance that the representatives of no foreign power will be able to usurp the authority and the democratic process of this State. The last time we had that was in Grattan's Parliament. I do not know whether any people were offered knighthoods over the weekend but perhaps he could make that point clear to us as well.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
We cannot develop this. The Leader of the House to conclude on the Order of Business.
I will start with Senator Manning. There is a heavy load of business ahead of us and tomorrow morning we will give an indication as to what the order of priority will be over the next couple of weeks. We will be sitting for three days from now on and it is intended to get through as many of the items on the Order Paper as is possible within the next few weeks, taking into account that we have a certain amount of legislation on the Order Paper already and further legislation will be coming to us in the next few weeks. It may be that we will deal with Government business on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and, as heretofore, go on on Thursday to deal with reports from committees and anything else on the Order Paper.
Regarding Senator Ferris' query about all-party motions and other motions on the Order Paper, if he will leave it until tomorrow morning we will give as detailed an answer as possible. I can guarantee that we will get to all the motions as soon as possible. I will address Senator Cregan's query in another place. As to the wish of Senators Norris, Ryan and O'Toole to have item No. 44 on the Order Paper discussed, that item will be addressed as soon as possible.
With respect, I appreciate the remarks on the national lottery but, in fairness, all we are asking is that the Minister for Finance should inform this House as regards the allegations——
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
That does not arise.
Sporting organisations in particular are showing deep concern about it. We are getting no replies. We asked the same question last week——
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
The Senator has an opportunity to put down a motion in the normal way to elicit whatever information he requires. Is the Order of Business agreed?
The Leader of the House forgot my final question about an assurance that the representatives of a foreign power would not in any sense usurp the workings of the democratic process of the Oireachtas and I——
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
That does not arise on the Order of Business. Is the Order of Business agreed?
It is a fair question. We are wondering who might pay our pensions, here at the back.
Order of Business agreed to.