It is proposed to take Items Nos. 3, 4 and 2. On Item No. 2 it is proposed to conclude not later than 4 p.m. with a sos between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. With regard to the sos, the House will probably agree with the suggestion that if it appears the debate might conclude early in the afternoon, we will sit to conclude the debate and have no sos.
Order of Business.
I welcome the debate today on agriculture and the fact that it is being taken. I would also like to raise with the Leader of the House the need for a substantial Order of Business for the next few weeks. It is important that it be outlined to us. I wish also to remind the Leader of the House that at the recent meeting of the Whips it was agreed the House would meet next week, perhaps on a restricted basis. I would like the Leader of the House to confirm that we are not taking an extra holiday next week simply because there are other things happening in other places.
I also request the Leader of the House to accept the fact that there are other areas that need to be discussed. We are discussing agriculture today and we all welcome that. I would also like to consider on future dates a discussion perhaps on the education service which is also in crisis. I will raise this with the Whip. I ask the Leader of the House to respond very positively to this. It would be welcomed by the Minister and all concerned.
Yesterday on the Order of Business, a number of issues were raised. There was an issue we have been raising since 1982 on the Independent benches. It refers to the extension of the franchise which has been raised by Senators from Limerick on a number of occasions over the past couple of years. At all levels — primary, second level, third level and further education — we feel it should be addressed and I ask the Leader of the House to consider that.
I also request the Leader of the House to indicate to us which of the long list of Bills which he referred to yesterday on the response to the Order of Business, he expects will be initiated in this House. The Government Chief Whip in the other House has indicated a programme of legislation of approximately 25 or 26 Bills over the next period. Many of those are new Bills. I would like to have indicated now the number of those Bills to be initiated in this House.
I would like to ask the Leader of the House to let us know what the situation will be next week. Will the House be sitting on Wednesday? Will it be sitting on Thursday? I would also like some indication of the priority attached to the various Bills which he outlined as proposed to be taken here and in the other House. In particular, I am interested to know what is the situation in relation to the Environmental Protection Agency Bill? Will that Bill be taken?
May I ask if the clocks are accurate? I am assuming they are because I know we meet at 10.30 a.m. If they are not correct, perhaps they could be adjusted because punctuality as you know, Sir, is next to godliness. We have developed a tendency to meet at 10.35 a.m. according to the clock. However, it is not a point I will press, as I also will not press Item No. 79.
A number of contributors from the Government side yesterday and towards the closing of the preceding session made the point that we were disruptive on this side of the House. It is very important that we have an orderly processing of our business. Senator O'Toole, on our behalf, has agreed the Order of Business for today and I will not be interrupting. I would like the Government side to know that I have indicated to Senator O'Toole that I will, from next week, regularly start moving an amendment to the Order of Business, that Item No. 79 be taken first because of the Government's contempt for the European Court. I will not be doing so today out of respect for the orderly process of business in the House but from next week I will do it and I will continue to do it every day until a reaction from the Government is forthcoming.
I would like to say on behalf of the Progressive Democrats that the legislation concerning the environmental protection agency is a very important matter. It is eagerly awaited throughout the country. I wish to ask the Leader of the House could he give us information as to how soon that legislation will be before us? We obviously want it brought in as quickly as possible.
I wonder is that a threat from Senator Norris of further disruption to the Order of Business? Some of us are finding it hard enough to continue——
I feel we should not provoke anything this morning.
I concur with the Cathaoirleach.
The Leader of the House to conclude.
I will cover the various questions raised. Senator O'Toole was the first speaker and I note his views regarding sitting next week. The same applies to Senator Upton. I understand the Whips did meet and agreement was not reached on it. It was left flexible.
Is there a recommendation that we meet next week even on a restricted basis?
I think it would be inappropriate to meet next week. We have a very important election taking place. I am quite certain the political parties would like to be on the ground on Tuesday and Wednesday, and would like to see the votes counted on Thursday and Friday. I might mention that the other House is not sitting next week. I am saying that we will not——
(Interruptions.)
Order, please. The Leader of the House to continue, without interruption.
I am saying we are not sitting next week and that we will be resuming two weeks from yesterday. Senator O'Toole also referred to a debate on wider education matters which is something I will consider. He asked which Bills might be initiated in this House from the list I gave yesterday. I gave a fairly lengthy list yesterday. I can say that I and Senator Wright have had discussions with the Taoiseach regarding this matter and we received a sympathetic hearing. Already there is evidence that we have made progress. We have two extra Bills for initiation in the House — Items Nos. 3 and 4. That is progress. On the Bills I mentioned yesterday, of the seven Bills that are still with the parliamentary draftsman, we will get some of those.
Senator Upton also asked a question in relation to next week and I have indicated what will happen. We are not sitting. He asked about the Environmental Protection Agency Bill. As I said yesterday, that Bill is still with the parliamentary draftsman. There are obviously problems. My understanding is that the Electoral (Amendment) Bill, the National Roads Authority Bill, the Fisheries (Amendment) Bill, the Exchange Controls Bill, the Patents Bill and the Part-Time Workers' Protection Bill are all still with the parliamentary draftsman at the preparation stage. It is hoped, as I said yesterday, that they will be ready before the Christmas period and I will be asking to get some of those Bills.
Senator Norris referred to the Item No. 79. I have noted his general comments. Senator Cullen referred to the Environmental Protection Agency Bill and I have noted his concern.
Order of Business agreed to.