Today's Order of Business is Items 1, 2 and 24. Item 1 will be taken without debate. Item 2, the Broadcasting Authority (Amendment) Bill, 1993 will be taken at the conclusion of Item 1 until 6 p.m. Debate on Item 2 will be resumed at 8 p.m. until the Second Stage of the Bill is completed. I suggest 30 minutes for spokespersons and 20 minutes for each Senator thereafter. Item 24 will be taken between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Matters on the Adjournment will be taken at the conclusion of business.
Order of Business.
We agree to today's Order of Business. Could the Leader of the House, first of all, indicate to us what other legislation he intends to bring before the House between now and the end of this session, whenever that may be? Secondly, could he give us a guarantee that, in accordance with the best traditions of this House, when the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill, 1993 is brought in to this House, it will be debated in the full light of day and not rushed through furtively under cover of darkness as appears to be happening elsewhere?
I share some of Senator Manning's concerns with regard to the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill, 1993. It is a pity it is being introduced in the Dáil, although I welcome the fact that it is being introduced, because it seems to me that this is the appropriate House in which to introduce such a Bill, first, because we are constitutionally established as a reflective House——
We do not want a speech on this matter.
——and, secondly, because I may have experience in this area which may not be shared by everybody in the House.
You are making a speech now.
I do not wish to make a speech, I just wish to make a point on the Order of Business. May I ask the Leader of the House if, in the light of this and the fact that the Suicide Bill was whipped away from under the noses of Senators, he would seriously consider allowing the introduction of a small amount of private Members' legislation from this side of the House? The House would be greatly strengthened by this.
I wish to make two points. The first arises from the Memorandum in which attention is drawn to the fact that the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs is meeting this afternoon. This committee is still referred to consistently in the media as the Dáil Committee on Foreign Affairs, particularly during the televised reports of the select committee of the Dáil which has responsibility for passing the Estimates. It is important that this House be allowed to participate in that select committee by presence and by speech although not by vote. I wish to end by serving notice that I propose to represent this House at that select committee the next time it sits and will demand my right to speak although I will of course, accept that I do not have a vote.
Can you a Chathaoirligh, or the Leader of the House say if moves have been made about Item 18 in my name relating to an Oireachtas press officer? I have spoken to people in the other House and they seem to be supportive of the suggestion. Some of the confusion about the role of the Upper House could be cleared up if this appointment was made.
It is always pleasant to hear of Senator Norris' experiences, although we might not share them.
You can someday.
The Senator should not tempt me.
I am glad I can still tempt someone at the age of 48 and three-quarters.
When the Leader of the House says we are to resume Second Stage of the Broadcasting Authority (Amendment) Bill, 1993 at 8 p.m., does he mean in the unlikely event that many Senators wish to participate in that debate we will be here all night? He has not indicated otherwise.
When is it proposed to take Item 4, the Animal Remedies Bill? There is a certain urgency attaching to that. When it is taken we should be afforded enough time to debate it in full.
My last question was also raised last week. Has any progress been made in bringing forward publication of the proceedings of the House? We still seem to be experiencing a delay.
The Cahill blueprint for Aer Lingus is a serious and urgent matter. Can time be afforded in this House for a discussion of the details of that plan? I also ask the Leader of the House to ensure the plan is fully published and full consultation takes place, including the Shannon Status Committee. The Taoiseach and Tánaiste should meet the committee since they have met the unions. It is important that all sides be heard. I hope the Leader of the House will communicate these views of the Taoiseach and Tánaiste and afford time here for discussion.
The Senator should find out when he will come back to tell her.
I ask the Leader of the House to request the attendance of two Ministers in this House before the recess, which I understand is to take place in three weeks. I ask that the Minister for Agriculture attend a two to three hour debate about the disadvantaged areas appeal. No one seems to know his position on payments for 1993. This must be resolved.
I also ask the Minister of Finance to attend for a short debate about the current conduct of financial institutions. Interest rates vary from 9 to 16 per cent and people are confused. The issue is being debated at all levels on an ongoing basis and a debate in this House would be beneficial to all concerned.
Could the Leader of the House provide time for a debate on Item 25? The matter is creating much concern among the public and the Garda Síochána. Offences such as muggings, breakins and car thefts are termed minor offences although they are not minor in the eyes of the people affected by them. Those who commit these offences are now brought to court by summons rather than being charged. The Garda find the same people are being brought in several times a week to have their names taken and be charged later. This has implications for consecutive sentencing because those accused are not on bail pending trial.
I also ask for a debate on Item 23, about the Law Reform Commission consultation paper on occupier's liability. This is an appropriate forum for such a debate. Because it is a consultation paper this House should have an opportunity to give its view on the commission's proposals. Not everyone agrees with the suggestions made in the paper. We debated this subject prior to its publication last November and this House could give its view to the commission before it writes its final report.
Will the Leader of the House give time to debate the proposal that the ESB pay a dividend to the Government? This could lead to job losses or increased electricity prices.
I support Senator D'Arcy's proposals for a debate on disadvantaged areas. The appeals system was to operate and grants were to be paid from 1993. It now appears it will be 1994 before the scheme gets under way. I would like that issue clarified in a debate.
Difficulties are being experienced by Members contributing to debates in the House. Senators like to have copies of their contribution as quickly as possible. Up to recently in the short period I have been a Member of this House it has been possible to get copies of the debates but now apparently it takes a minimum of three to four weeks.
We are seeking a speedy resolution of the problem.
I also asked last week if either you, a Chathaoirligh, or the Leader of the House would ensure that the allocation of secretarial staff was on an equal basis.
I have ruled already that is not appropriate to the Order of Business. It is a matter for the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.
It would be wrong if some Members of the House were to have an unfair advantage in terms of secretarial assistance. If this House is not seen to be fair in everything it does it would be unfortunate.
To deal with legislation the House will sit on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of next week. We will debate the Animal Remedies Bill, 1993 and the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill, 1993. The House can be assured as much time as necessary will be given; the Whips can arrange the time today or tomorrow. The Minister for Justice would have preferred to initiate the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill in this House but it was needed in the other House for business reasons. I will prepare a list of business for the time up to the summer recess. Ample time will be given to everybody who wishes to speak on the Bill today.
Is the Order of Business agreed?
What about the other items raised?
The Leader of the House has replied.
In my view they are all matters for the Adjournment or Private Members' time.
We cannot accept that.
Order of Business agreed to.