It is proposed to take Items Nos. 1 and 2 and that all Stages of Item No. 1 will be taken.
Order of Business.
On what I believe is the last day of this present session, I must record my disappointment at the Government side's refusal to debate their own motion No. 3. I notice with some amusement that it has become almost a top of the pops. However maybe there is a bright side to this. Can the Leader of the House inform us — most of us are in the dark about it — what precisely is the significant and beneficial progress which is expected in the North, to which the Taoiseach has referred in Australia? Perhaps Senator Lanigan knows this but I certainly do not know it. Is this another piece of cynical arm-chancing which passes for Fianna Fáil Northern policy?
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
That hardly arises on the Order of Business.
I wish to express my relief that the South African Government have decided at least to postpone the death sentence aginst the Sharpeville Six. The debate in this House——
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
That hardly arises on the Order of Business.
—— has been part of an international effort which has influenced the Government to make this decision. I hope that the sentence will be, in time, commuted.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
That does not arise on the Order of Business.
I support what Senator Murphy has said with regard to the disappointment experienced by all sections of the House that Item No. 3, despite the undertakings given by the Leader of the House, will not be given time today. This is a most important matter. I regret that the Seanad has been deprived of this opportunity to discuss something that has been on the Order Paper for many weeks and about which continuous commitments were given. I would also like to ask the Leader of the House to note that on the Order Paper Item No. 46 has once again materialised. That is a very important item which deals with attempts to amend planning legislation. It appears, unfortunately, that we may not have time to discuss this or a similar item before the close of this parliamentary session but I would ask the Leader of the House respectfully to consider giving time to this and implementing it in some way. I would remind him that this is the content of a letter by his Leader, the Taoiseach, Deputy Haughey, and that over the coming months——
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
It is not in order to go into detail on any question raised on the Order of Business.
The defect in the law that would be cured by this item which is not being taken is currently costing taxpayers many millions of pounds in fraudulent compensation claims. The Government have indicated that they know what the solution is and they should do something about it.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
We cannot have a speech on it.
I would like to congratulate Dublin Corporation on their proposal to offer the Freedom of the City to Nelson Mandela.
Hear, hear.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
That hardly arises on the Order of Business.
I would like to speak on the Order of Business.
Questions only should be raised on the Order of Business.
Sorry, I did not hear that. If the Leader of the House has something to say I would be very happy to hear it.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
He pointed out that questions only should be raised on the Order of Business.
Are interruptions allowed on the Order of Business?
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
Certainly not. Senator Ross, to continue with his question.
I am a little surprised at the reticence of the Leader of the House and the Government in talking about the summer recess. The first I heard about us going into summer recess was from Senator Murphy just now and I hope it is not true, but maybe it is. None of us has been officially informed that we are supposed to go into recess this evening. Maybe the Leader of the House, when replying, would first of all tell us if it is true that we intend to go into recess for the summer this evening.
Secondly, I support what Senator Murphy said about Item No. 3, I am absolutely sick and tired of going through the motions of bringing it up time and time again. I would be quite happy if we sat an extra day or two days next week to discuss this matter if there is a problem about time and if we are going into recess.
I am proposing an amendment to the Order of Business, that we take Item No. 3 today as the final item on the Order of Business. I do not know what time the Leader of the House expects that we will finish but I do not mind what time we finish. If he gives us an assurance that we will discuss this matter next week, tomorrow, or at some time in the very near future, I will withdraw the amendment but if he does not, I will press it.
I question the sincerity of the Senator's remarks. I am sure he is well aware that the House intends to adjourn today. It might be easier for some of us, if we could conduct our business from the House, to continue on all summer.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
That hardly arises on the Order of Business, Senator.
I believe that this House should adjourn and that it is reasonable for any parliament to adjourn. Many of us are involved not only in the Seanad, but also in local authorities——
(Interruptions.)
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
Order, please.
I am well used to exchanges from some of the people who enjoy raising matters on the Order of Business every day. I suppose it is to your advantage if you are an Independent Senator, you can raise whatever you like and raise the hopes of those who support you but they will learn that there is not much delivery at the end of the day. I recommend that we adjourn the business today——
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
The Adjournment of the House is entirely a matter for the debate on the Adjournment or for when the Leader of the House proposes that we adjourn and not for the Order of Business. I call on the Leader of the House to reply and conclude.
The Order of Business for today is Items Nos. 1 and 2. The only relevant question asked was about Item No. 46, and the Independent Senators can bring that up when it is their turn to bring a motion before the House. I agree with the sentiments expressed on the question of Nelson Mandela.
What about Item No. 3 and what time will we finish?
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
Is it proposed to have a break for lunch?
No.
No.
Surely we are entitled to know from the Leader of the House whether this is the last day of the session.
And No. 3 and the time we propose to finish.
When the time comes to adjourn the House, I will decide.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
Those are the Chair's sentiments exactly. Is the Order of Business agreed?
Senators
No.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
The question is: "That the Order of Business be agreed". Those in favour say "Tá".
Senators
Tá.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
Those against say "Níl".
Senators
Níl.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
I declare the question carried.
On a point of order, I proposed an amendment that Item No. 3 be taken today and I wish to press it.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
It is not possible to move it now. I have asked the question.
I already formally moved it.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
The Chair was not aware of that. The question has been put and the Order of Business has been agreed.
A Leas-Chathaoirleach, I in no way want to get into confrontation with you but I formally moved an amendment when I was speaking on the Order of Business that Item No. 3 be taken today.
Yes, he did.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
The question has been put and the House has agreed to the Order of Business.
No, we have not agreed to it.
No.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
The question is: "That the Order of Business be agreed to".
Question put.
Vótáil.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
The question is: "That the Order of Business be agreed to." On that question a division has been challenged. Will those Senators calling for a division please rise in their places?
Senators Murphy, Norris and Ross rose.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
As fewer than five Senators rose in their places I declare that the question is carried.
Question declared carried.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
The names of the Senators dissenting will be recorded in the Journal of Proceedings of the Seanad.