Senator Willie Ryan wishes to make a statement.
Business of Seanad.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
There seems to be confusion about the Order of Business. We will be taking the Tobacco Bill after the Housing Bill this evening. That was the original idea and I do not know what happened in between. I want to let the House know on time that we will be going back to the Tobacco Bill when we are finished with the Housing Bill.
There certainly is some confusion, because just a few minutes ago we learned that the multi-storey building Bill would be introduced after this Bill. A number of my colleagues have left the House with that impression. Will the Fianna Fáil Whip be willing to convey that to them? I am the Acting Whip today for my party and I convey that to the leader of my party and to other Members who left the House under the impression that the Bill would be taken today.
The Order of Business this morning said that we were taking Nos. 1 and 2 and that we were taking the Housing Bill at 5.30 p.m. When we ordered the Tobacco Bill this morning we said that we would complete it today. I have been approached by numerous Members here in the last ten minutes saying that they want the Tobacco Bill to be taken this evening. They were all in agreement to take it. I did not contact the Senator or Senator Manning. The Independent Senators said they would prefer to take the Tobacco Bill.
I am not against taking the Tobacco Bill. It is just that there is a misunderstanding. All I am saying is that some of my colleagues left here a few minutes ago under the impression, following an announcement by the acting leader of the House, that the multi-storey buildings Bill was being taken. I am only asking the Leader of the House to convey the position to the Leader of my group.
I will do that.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
Before we return to the amendment I think it would be desirable if people on the administrative side could leave on the desk here the Order of Business as agreed each day so that there could be no ambiguity about it. It should be here for the guidance of the Chair.