Before I call on the Leader of the House to deal with the Order of Business may I take this opportunity of making a few brief comments. For the last two years or so in the very cramped environment in the anteroom certain procedural practices have slipped in and the Chair would like to have the opportunity to ask for the co-operation of the Members in getting back to the normal niceties and procedures we have always enjoyed in the House. In order to maintain the dignity of the Chamber we would perhaps remind our colleagues that it is disorderly to pass between the Chair and the speaker in possession. It was something we overlooked in the anteroom because of the narrow gangways but here when we are back home we would like to see that observed. Recently the practice of Members approaching the Chair directly during the sitting has crept in and can be looked upon as a distraction. I would hope that people would avail of the traditional way of sending a note via the ushers if they need clarification or any points of procedure. By and large I would ask Members to perhaps reread the Standing Orders of the House so that we may retain the dignity that was always part and parcel of this institution. I call on Senator Michael Lanigan for the Order of Business.
Statement by Leas-Chathaoirleach.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
Before you start the Order of Business and, speaking about the dignity of the House, I want to raise a very serious objection to Telefís Éireann in regard to the way they treated this House yesterday, the undignified way they edited the tributes to Frank Cluskey. They came in here, they showed a full frontal shot of the Leader of the House, which was quite right, and allowed whatever contribution he had to make. They had a full frontal shot of Senator John A. Murphy and allowed his contribution, and quite rightly so, but, when it came to me, a member of the Labour Party, the only member of the Labour Party asked to speak by the Cathaoirleach, no camera was focused on me. When the picture was shown that night all that was seen of me was my rear. I was seen standing up and sitting down and somewhere in between one numbled word came out.
I want to object in the strongest possible terms to the insensitivity of those responsible for that behaviour. I was the only Labour Party spokesman among the four. The other three people who had spoken before me paid deference to that and knew that I would be going on that little bit longer. However, I did not want full coverage; all I wanted was people to see that I was making the contribution, and they denied that. I tried to make a complaint last night. I got somebody, but it was not the right person. I tried to contact Mr. Wesley Boyd this morning at 9 o'clock, but he was not at his desk. That leaves me with no option but to raise the objection here.
Overall, I subscribe to the idea of televising the proceedings. I think the whole programme was very good. But I am at a loss to understand — was it political or otherwise — that some insensitive character would choose to edit out a lifelong friend of Frank Cluskey and the Cluskey family from making a contribution to the tributes that were being paid to him here. I must ask the Seanad for support on that. If there is going to be any more editing in here let it be done on a fair basis and let them not pick on the fellow with the inner city accent. It will not be tolerated by me or anyone else. I am not blaming Brian Farrell or anyone else about it; I am blaming the people who are responsible for editing.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
You have certainly made the point, Senator. The Chair sympathises with Senator Harte, who I know is not one to complain about anything. As you know, the editorial control of the programme was responsible for that.
I am into my 17th year here and I never made a complaint yet.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
I just mention that, Senator Harte; I can appreciate the situation you are in. All I can say is that the matter can be taken up with RTE by the Committee of Procedure and Privileges. There is not a lot the Chair can do about it at this stage. I suppose it is not appropriate to deal with this matter at any great length on the Order of Business. I would take on board the point raised by Senator Harte. That is all we can do at this stage.
I quite agree with the complaint made by Senator Harte. I was surprised last night when I saw the very poor coverage he got. He has asked who is to blame. In case he might be casting any blame on the Government side of the House——
No.
I want to make it clear that his party did not do too badly yesterday, because another Minister got in twice.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
We cannot have a debate on yesterday's proceedings.
It had nothing to do with the Government.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
We cannot have a debate on yesterday's proceedings. I would ask for your co-operation that we get down to the Order of Business.
While not having a discussion, I would like to say it is a shame the way that Senator Harte was treated on the television last night as the representative for the Labour Party. He is one Member who always——
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
I accept that and I would ask for your co-operation. We cannot really have a discussion on this. Senator Lanigan on the Order of Business.