Seanad Éireann debate -
Friday, 10 Jul 1992

Vol. 133 No. 17

Order of Business.

Mr. Wright

Today's Order of Business are items 1 and 2. It is proposed notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders that proceedings on Second Stage of the Regional Technical Colleges Bill, 1991, if not previously concluded will be brought to a conclusion at 12.45 p.m. with the Minister being called on to reply no later than 12.30 p.m. and that the Committee and Remaining Stages if not previously concluded, will be brought to a conclusion at 5 p.m. by one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only amendments set down from the Government. The proceedings on the Second and Remaining Stages of the Dublin Institute of Technology Bill, 1991, if not previously concluded, will be brought to a conclusion by one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments include only amendments set down from the Government.

I suspect, and hope, that as the day goes on enough time will be available for everybody to have their say on these two Bills. On Tuesday night last I tried to extend the House for a short length of time to accommodate speakers as it was felt than that we needed more time. Yesterday my judgement was proved to have been right.

Mr. Manning

The Leader has a given a good example this morning of the iron fist in the velvet glove. Clearly this type of arrangement is not acceptable. It is a pity that coming to the end of the session the gullotine is being used with increasing ruthlessness. I will not call a vote on this because that would take even further time from the debate but Fine Gael opposes these tactics.

Mr. O'Toole

I sense that the Government side's hurry to take their holidays is the reason for all the guillotined motions we are dealing with. These things should be dealt with reasonably. I did not object to terminating the Housing Bill despite what the Leader of the House has indicated. We have a serious difficulty with today's Bill because amendments will not now be taken and I oppose the Order of Business on that basis. We made it clear to the Government three weeks ago that we felt the House should continue at least until the end of July which would allow for full discussion of the legislation. It is too bad holiday arrangements of Fianna Fáil Members of the House dictate the taking of legislation.

Professor Conroy

I am sure there are no holiday arrangements over there.

Mrs. Honan

Senator O'Toole's whole life is a holiday.

Mr. O'Toole

The sun never sets on this side of the House.

Dr. Upton

I am beginning to think that the Leader of the House is losing the run of himself. We have the guillotine every day and it looks as if that practice will continue up to the recess. It is a pity that the Leader resorts to guillotines. If he had sense and let us talk this legislation out, it would not take much longer. I imagine that by 6, 7 or 8 o'clock this evening the whole business would be completed. It is a pity that he decides to use the big stick instead of letting people reach their own level and conclusions and I feel sure that would happen at an early hour this evening.

Could the Leader inform the House how he got on during his meeting with people from the American Embassy yesterday? That matter is still of considerable concern to myself and to a number of people who have made representations to me.

I was very disturbed to see reports in today's newspapers of an enormous chemical haul by the gardaí at Dublin Airport. It is disturbing that large amounts of chemicals are being found and that we have a sort of subversive under the bed chemical industry working on the side producing dangerous substances.

Mr. McDonald

I ask the Leader if time will be made available before the recess to debate item 9 on today's Order Paper. It is ironic that over the last three years of so many changes in the European Community that the House has not had an opportunity to debate any of them or to make an input there. In view of the fact that there are so many fundamental changes in aid from the Common Agricultural Policy, it is desirable that the Minister should come to this House for a debate so that we can elucidate many of the problems facing farmers in their efforts to avail of the benefits of the Common Agricultural Policy.

The Leader indicated some months ago that he would provide time for a debate on item 1, list No. 8 of the Supplementary Order Paper, dealing with the famine in Africa. When will time be provided for such a debate?

Mr. Costello

Clearly the season of the guillotine is in full swing; it is always a possibility when we come to the month of July but things are getting red hot at this stage and we are headed towards a reign of terror. We will be taking five Bills next week.

An Cathaoirleach

We are talking about today's Order of Business.

Mr. Costello

We took two Bills this week. The Dáil is rising today and that means seven Bills cannot be amended. The guillotine applies to both education Bills today making a mockery of the whole legislative process.

An Cathaoirleach

Does Senator Costello have a question for the Leader of the House?

Mr. Costello

I ask the Leader if, at this stage, we could finalise Second Stage and leave Remaining Stages until the autumn? We have the Green Paper on Education to debate and that is the obvious thing to do. The Leader could grant that request so that the debate on the Green Paper could take place in the meantime.

I would also like to refer to the drugs haul at Dublin Airport.

An Cathaoirleach

That is not appropriate to today's Order of Business. I have already ruled on that matter.

Mr. Costello

I ask the Leader if he will put together a number of the items we have already indicated we would like to discuss so that something might be arranged for when we resume in the autumn.

Mr. Wright

As regards holiday arrangements and without mentioning names, I am trying to achieve before the recess what I believe is a consensus of the views of the House. I always try to reflect those views as I can.

With regard to the Bill, I can tell Senator Costello that I checked yesterday and on several pieces of legislation, in a House which is only a third of the size of the Dáil we have given longer hours and more days than the Dáil to the debate. It seems to me that in the Dáil they can readily get agreement on time allocations. I welcome the greater commitment of this House in regard to time given to debates. Overall, this House has given more time than the Dáil to most Bills. One loses on some days and one wins on others. Yesterday it did not please me that the House closed down at about 12 o'clock.

With regard to the drugs haul at the airport, I congratulate those involved and especially those on the intelligence side of the Garda.

Senator Upton asked about my visit to the American Embassy. I will report back to our Committee on Procedure and Privileges on that matter. I expect some positive results from the meeting.

Senator McDonald asked about a debate on the famine in South Africa. It will not be possible to have such a debate before the recess. We will include it under topical debates.

Order of Business agreed to.