It is intended to take item No. 2 until 6 p.m. — Committee Stage of the Larceny Bill — to take the Winter Time Order at 6 p.m. and the Independent motion from 6.30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Order of Business.
I asked this question of the Leader of the House on a number of occasions since Christmas and he has given various commitments. I note that the Minister for Justice is coming into us shortly. The Leader of the House has told us on a number of occasions that the Government were about to introduce the Abolition of the Death Penalty Bill. On that basis, the Leader disallowed an Independent motion late last term dealing precisely with the Abolition of the Death Penalty Bill, in the name of Senator Ross. We would now like to know what the precise plans of the Government are for the next period of time, including the position of the Abolition of the Death Penalty Bill.
Last week I asked the Leader of the House when it was proposed to take the Marine Institute Bill in Committee Stage, pointing out once again that this Bill is a matter of great concern to a whole range of interests throughout the country and that its delay is quite unacceptable. Last week the Leader intimated that we might have Committee Stage today. What are his present hopes and expectations?
I would like to ask the Leader of the House if any progress has been made in regard to the establishment of the committee of the Seanad for the extension of franchise to the Univerity of Limerick, Dublin City University and the other appropriate third level institutions?
It is an important and appropriate time for us to acknowledge the independence of Namibia, a nation that got its independence last night, and to acknowledge the role that was played by the Irish in many areas over the decades. Seán MacBride was United Nations High Commissioner for many years in the seventies, the Garda Síochána supervised the elections last November and the Irish Anti-Apartheid Movement was involved as well. Seeing that we have, through the Taoiseach, invited Nelson Mandela to visit this country and to address the Oireachtas, it would be appropriate also that we would invite the new President, Sam Nujoma, to do likewise.
Secondly, might I say that we raised last week with the Leader of the House the question of getting an opportunity to discuss the developments that are taking place in relation to Irish Life, in particular, and the whole area of privatisation, which seems to be part of Government policy at the moment, even though it was not part of their policy when they came to power. I would like the Leader of the House to give us an indication of when we might have such a debate.
Given that there are newspaper reports that the Dáil would not sit in the months of April and June, may I ask the Leader of the House if it is proposed that this House should sit during those months?
In regard to the question raised by Senator Upton, the business of the Dáil has nothing to do with us. On the question raised by Senator Costello, of course we send our greetings to the people of Namibia and congratulate them on attaining their freedom and statehood. We acknowledge, of course, the very many contributions the Irish have made in that area. The question of Irish Life was again raised by Senator Costello. Over the next number of months there will be, I am sure, plenty of opportunities of discussing the question of Irish Life and privatisation. If Senator Costello wishes, he can of course bring in a motion in his own time and he can take that as his priority. You can prioritise your own motions and, if you are that interested, I am sure you can take that one as being of paramount importance.
Senator Jackman asked a question in conneciton with the extension of the franchise. I am sure she will acknowledge that the Committee on Procedure and Privileges have been adjusting themselves to other matters over the past number of days and that we will take this matter on board at an early opportunity. Senator Murphy asked about the Marine Institute Bill. The Final Stages of that Bill will be taken next Wednesday and the Whips will be discussing the programme for the Abolition of the Death Penalty Bill tomorrow morning, at the Whips meeting.
Order of Business agreed to.