Vol. 137 No. 2
I am sure Members of the House would want me to wish the Cathaoirleach a speedy recovery. We hope he will soon be back in the Chair.
It is proposed to take Item 1, all Stages of the Broadcasting Authority (Amendment) Bill, 1993 from now until its conclusion. There will be a sos from 1 p.m. to 1.30 p.m. Item 2, the Health (Family Planning) (Amendment) Bill, 1993, all stages, will be taken from 1.30 p.m. I suggest 30 minutes per spokesperson and 20 minutes for other speakers.
I am sure every Member of the House joins with the Leader of the House in wishing the Cathaoirleach a speedy recovery.
On behalf of the Fine Gael Members, I wish the Cathaoirleach well and hope he will soon be back in the House.
We agree with the Order of Business. Could the Leader of the House outline what legislation will be introduced in the House during the next couple of weeks? There is a growing list of Bills and a timetable for their introduction would give Members an opportunity to prepare. It is unfortunate that, at the end of each session, there seems to be a rush to pass outstanding legislation.
It is always difficult at this time of the year to operate like other workers and ask when it is proposed to go into recess. Operators in the tourist industry are tired of people not booking their holidays until the last minute. This House contributes to that difficulty as Members do not know when the House will go into recess.
On a serious note, I agree with Senator Cosgrave on the need for a timetable for the introduction of new legislation. I realise it is not possible to impose a definite deadline for the completion of business but we should have some indication so Members can make plans in order to maintain good relationships at home.
On behalf of the Independent Senators, I wish the Cathaoirleach a quick recovery.
I wish to be associated with the good wishes to the Cathaoirleach. We wish him a speedy recovery and hope he will be back with us soon.
I agree with the Order of Business. However, I would also like to know the legislative programme for the remainder of the session.
On behalf of the Labour Party Members, I wish the Cathaoirleach a speedy recovery and I hope he will be back in the House soon.
I wish to bring the question of appeals under the disadvantaged areas scheme to the attention of the Leader of the House. Yesterday, he dismissed my request to discuss the matter rather lightly but I am not prepared to accept that. There is too much confusion about the issue. I again ask him to allocate Government time next week, when the Seanad will sit for three days, to discuss this. It is not an issue for a motion on the Adjournment. It is a national issue.
I wish to be associated with the messages of goodwill to the Cathaoirleach for a speedy recovery.
I asked yesterday that we discuss the issue of occupiers' liability. As the Law Reform Commission has produced a consultation paper, I thought the views of this House should be made known. I received the answer that it was a matter for a motion on the Adjournment. I do not accept that.
I join in the messages of goodwill to the Cathaoirleach. I saw him leaving the House last night and he behaved with his usual courage and courtesy. I hope he will be back shortly.
Is it proposed to have a debate on Northern Ireland? It is important that we have such a debate soon. I welcome this opportunity to warmly applaud President Robinson for her courageous and appropriate initiative in visiting the people of west Belfast.
In reply to Senators Dardis, Neville and Norris, what I said yesterday applied to Private Members Business as well as Adjournment matters, but I will inform the relevant Ministers of the concerns expressed by the Senators.
In regard to questions from Senators Cosgrave and O'Toole concerning the legislative programme, I will try to keep the House informed. This House will be sitting next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and the Animal Remedies Bill, the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill and the Defence (Amendment) Bill will be taken next week. I ask the Senators to understand that time has to be found for other debates, but this will be assessed as the summer proceeds.
The amnesty Bill will be dealt with in this House on 13 July. I understand that Dáil amendments to the IDA Bill will come back to this House on Report Stage. There are many other Bills that will be dealt with between now and the summer recess.
