Vol. 133 No. 15
The Joint Committee on Standing Orders (Private Business) reports that it has nominated the following Senators to serve on the Joint Committee on the Altamont (Amendment of Deed of Trust) Bill, 1990: Senators Patrick Kennedy, Brian Mullooly and John Ryan.
I move: "That the report be laid before the Seanad."
Is that agreed?
I did not hear the makeup of the committee. I certainly did not hear the name of any representative from the Independent benches. I did not hear what we are supposed to vote on.
I simply did not hear what was said.
The Joint Committee on Standing Orders (Private Business) reports that it has nominated the following Senators to serve on the Joint Committee on the Altamont (Amendment of Deed of Trust) Bill, 1990: Senators Patrick Kennedy, Brian Mullooly and John Ryan.
I want to object. The Independent group is larger than the Labour group. I do not understand why we have not been consulted and why we do not have representation on the committee.
We are acting on the same precedent as other Private Bills. That has been agreed by the Committee of Selection.
My objection is based precisely and completely on the representation in the House. The Independent group is larger than the Labour group. It is clearly unacceptable to me and I would hope to yourself also, a Chathaoirligh. I ask that this be referred back to the Committee of Selection. It is completely out of kilter with other arrangements. It is unacceptable and it is not a fair way of doing business.
I have asked already whether the motion is agreed.
I want to register the fact that Senator O'Toole is not alone among the Independent group. I would like to have some explanation as to the precedent under which the second largest group on the Opposition benches were left out of this process.
The Limerick Marts Bill was the most recent one. It was the same composition of membership, as I understand it.
Precedent is an interesting thing but it does not prove anything. If it is illogical now, it was illogical before. The fact that perhaps we should have objected earlier does not make any less of the objection. It is illogical and it deserves to be questioned on the grounds of logic.
Vótáil.
The question is:
"That the report of the Joint Committee on the Altamont (Amendment of Deed of Trust) Bill, 1990, be laid before the Seanad". On that question a division has been challenged. Will those Senators calling for a division please stand in their places?
Senators Murphy, B. Ryan and O'Toole stood.
As fewer than five Senators stood in their places, I declare the question carried. The names of the Senators who stood will be recorded in the Journal of the Proceedings of the Seanad.
