It is proposed to take Items No. 1 and 2. We will have a sos from 1.30 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Order of Business.
I put a question yesterday to the Leader of the House, which I will repeat today. Could he assure us that no legislation will be guillotined or rammed through this House within the next two weeks before the summer recess?
I indicated there were a number of Bills which it was hoped to complete before the end of the session. I mentioned the Insurance Bill, the Industrial Relations Bill, the National Treasury Management Agency Bill, the Broadcasting Bill, a small change in the Water Pollution Bill, the Shannon Navigation Bill and the Pensions Bill. As I said yesterday, our sittings will be lengthy but hopefully, within the two week period we will finish our business. If we have to sit four days, we will sit four days. The Whips will be meeting this afternoon and I hope arrangements can be made to formalise the business for the next two weeks.
I wanted to ask about facilities of the House. Could we have some news on the international postage arrangements? This was raised and agreed over a year ago and I simply cannot understand why the printing of these materials has been so delayed.
I understand the matter you raised would be something you would need to bring up with your own representative on the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.
I just wanted to add a little more pressure.
It would be more appropriate there, I understand.
There is another matter which may also be outside the remit, and that is the question of increased access, if this is possible, to the Setanta offices. I could discuss that in detail with the appropriate person. Also, perhaps there could be provision for a bicycle park in Setanta?
Or a jet.
On the points raised by Senator Norris, in my opinion none of the items raised is appropriate to the Order of Business. Certainly none of them is within my remit.
Order of Business agreed to.