It is proposed that we take Item No. 3 — Child Abduction and Enforcement of Custody Orders Bill, 1990. It has been agreed with the Whips that all Stages will be taken today. Business will conclude at 4 p.m. There will be a sos between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Order of Business.
I have no difficulty with the Order of Business today. It is as agreed, as the Leader of the House said. For the benefit of Members, may I ask the Leader to indicate as clearly as he can at this stage the arrangements for next week's sitting, the day or days, and the hours we may be sitting, in order to facilitate the Members in planning their week.
I would like to ask the Leader of the House if he would consider during the next session a debate on the recently published Law Reform Commission report on defamation? The report has considerable implications and made far-reaching recommendations. I ask the Leader if he will allow time in the next session for a debate on this matter.
I support Senator Neville in his request for a debate on the Law Reform Commission's report. It is an enormous tome. It must run to 500 or 600 pages. I have just received a copy. It would be appropriate to debate it after Easter.
May I also ask the Leader if he would allow time after Easter for a debate on European affairs? We had one last November, but given the changes that have taken place it would be appropriate to have such a debate shortly after Easter.
I would like to ask the Leader if we could have an education debate immediately on resuming after Easter? I am concerned about the contents of a report published today and that is why I am asking for that debate. The report was published by the Education Commission of the Major Religious Superiors, where they point out the educational disadvantage——
I cannot allow the Senator to quote from any report on the Order of Business.
I am just raising the point that education fails the poor. It is a response to a report. I am asking the Leader if we could have an immediate debate on education on the resumption of the Seanad after Easter in the light of the reaction of the Major Religious Superiors to the primary school review report.
For some weeks a number of us in this House have been seeking a debate in relation to Northern Ireland. While in many other regards the Leader of the House has been very responsive, he has not been so in this case. It is a very compelling issue in relation to which a debate should take place in this House in precedence to the vast majority of other issues of public concern at this time.
Item No. 2 on the Order Paper is the Altamont Bill. There was a brief discussion on this before Christmas. It was indicated then that there was not adequate information and that it could be taken in the next session. Now that we are on the point of breaking up for Easter, I would like to get a commitment from the Leader of the House as to when that might be taken.
I would like to support Senator Upton's appeal to the Leader of the House for a debate on European affairs. We should have more debates on European affairs in this House. I have strong views on that matter. We now see confusion about monetary union. I support Senator Upton in his appeal for a debate immediately after Easter on this subject.
May I ask the Leader of the House if he has any indication from the Government on the formation of a foreign affairs committee, and if there is likely to be any announcement in this regard in the next session?
Senator Doyle asked about the business for next week. The proposal is to sit on Tuesday at 12 noon. Subject to the agreement of the Whips, it is hoped to take the Social Welfare Bill all day and finalise the debate on Tuesday.
Is the debate open-ended? Are you suggesting that we go right through until midnight or 1 a.m.?
Whatever is necessary, yes. Senator Neville asked for a debate on the Law Reform Commission's report on defamation. This is something I will obviously consider after Easter. As I explained yesterday, the next session will be a long one and I hope we will be able to take in items like this. Senator Upton, too, referred to the matter.
Senator Upton also referred to European affairs, as did Senator Honan. I hope we will be able to debate such matters between the pieces of important legislation which, of course, will be the priority in the House. Senator Jackman raised the question of an education debate. I know the Minister will certainly attend in the House and we will arrange for something as early as possible after the Easter recess. The same applies to the request of Senator Staunton. I will certainly consider a debate on Northern Ireland, if at all possible. I gave the same reply yesterday on the Order of Business to other Senators.
The Altamont Bill is something for the Whips to talk about. Obviously, we would prefer if we could deal with it. I gave the parliamentary agent, Mr. Egan, an indication that it would not be taken before Easter so we are consistent in that at least, although it is not perhaps the information he wanted. We will consider it after Easter and see what can be done.
Senators Honan and Cullen asked about European affairs. I will inquire about the present state of play in regard to the foreign affairs committee and inform them of the position.
Order of Business agreed to.