Seanad Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Dec 1993

Vol. 138 No. 17

Order of Business.

Mr. Wright

With the agreement of the House and the Minister we have decided that, before taking Item 1, each party spokesman will have four minutes to speak on the issue of THORP and the Minister will reply.

We will then take Item 1, the Air Companies (Amendment) Bill, 1993, all Stages. I suggest 20 minutes per spokesperson and 15 minutes per speaker thereafter, that we break for half an hour at the end of Second Stage and then take Committee and Final Stages. With regard to tomorrow's business, as the Cathaoirleach is aware, the House has been asking for an opportunity to speak on the peace declaration agreed last week. I am pleased that with a lot of effort on the part of the Cathaoirleach and the Chief Whip, the Taoiseach will come to the House first thing tomorrow morning to speak on this issue. We will arrange thereafter for as many people as possible to speak on the issue.

Mr. Manning

Given the week that is in it, I thank the Leader for having agreed to our proposal of last week to have statements on the THORP issue. It is important that we speak with one voice on this issue and I am glad the Minister will be here to add his voice to what will be said in this House. I also thank the Leader for his efforts to ensure we have a debate this week on Northern Ireland. I think it would be the view of all sides that as many speakers as possible could make a short contribution tomorrow on this matter. I am pleased the Taoiseach is coming to the House.

Finally, although I helped to make this rule, perhaps the Cathaoirleach would allow me to break it by sending our good wishes to Senator Cosgrave and his wife on their good news.

Mr. Dardis

I also thank the Leader and you, a Chathaoirligh, for making the arrangements for tomorrow. It is encouraging that the Taoiseach will be coming to the Upper House. I realise other business is ordered for tomorrow, but I hope it will be possible to ensure that as many people as possible who want to contribute will be able to do so. I do not want to make an issue of this point, but I note from the Order Paper that Item 1 is the Second Stage of the Air Companies (Amendment) Bill, 1993, and not all stages. It should be ensured that when the Order Paper is circulated it at least indicates what we are about to do because the Leader has suggested that all stages be taken.

An Cathaoirleach

One can only indicate on the Order Paper the stage at which the Bill is at present and it is up to the House to agree to take a decision on each stage.

Mr. Dardis

I accept that, a Chathaoirligh.

Mr. Crowley

I thank the Leader of the House for arranging to hear statements on THORP and for arranging for the Taoiseach to come to the House tomorrow to speak on the Joint Declaration. I will ask the Leader at some stage in the next session to arrange with the Minister for Health to have a discussion in the House on the issue of homelessness, especially in light of the Salvation Army taking over the Grangegorman complex — set up last year due to the severe weather conditions — from the Army? I would like a discussion early in the next session on whether there are plans to extend that system to other State facilities.

Mr. Lanigan

I thank the Leader for asking the Taoiseach to come to the House tomorrow morning as it is timely and proper, and I am glad the Taoiseach accepted the offer. As we hear a lot about road safety at present, will the Leader ask the Minister for Finance to come to the House to address a road safety matter of grave importance? I saw a programme — and heard some people talking recently — about the number of cars being imported from the North of Ireland. In County Donegal in the past couple of months over 2,000 secondhand cars which failed the MOT test in the North have been imported. They are a danger on our roads. I ask the Leader to request the Minister for Finance urgently to address this matter.

Mr. Norris

What is the position with regard to the Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) Amendment Bill, 1993, which suddenly emerged during the past week and then disappeared again? The introduction of such a Bill is bad for staff management relations because it will affect the relationship between ourselves and our secretarial staff. This was done without any consultation with the people involved. This situation is lamentable and I hope the Bill has disappeared for good off the Order Paper. Perhaps the Leader will be able to confirm if this is the case.

In terms of Protocol, is it in order to discuss the invitation issued to the President to chair a United Nations international committee?

An Cathaoirleach

It is not.

Mr. Norris

That is a pity. Could this issue be addressed, even theoretically, if we had a debate on the Constitution? This issue should be examined in this House.

Mr. Lydon

I thank the Leader for arranging tomorrow's debate on the Joint Declaration. I am sure the House will join with me in this season of goodwill in wishing Senator McGowan a speedy recovery after a serious operation. We also extend our sympathy to him on the death of his brother whose funeral he will be unable to attend.

Mr. Wright

Tomorrow we will endeavour through the Whips to ensure that all Senators who wish to contribute to the debate on the Joint Declaration will be able to do so.

With regard to our intentions during the coming weeks. I am sure Senator Lanigan will have an opportunity in the new session to discuss an important issue.

With regard to the Oireachtas (Allowances To Members) Amendment Bill, 1993, only Second Stage was taken in the Dáil. I am sure some of us will welcome this Bill in the New Year, while others may not.

An Cathaoirleach

I assume that Item 2, the Earlier Signature Motion, must be taken in conjunction with Item 1.

Mr. Wright

Yes.

Order of Business agreed to.