Today's Order of Business is item 1, the continuation of the Committee Stage of the Road Traffic Bill, 1993. It is intended that we conclude Committee Stage today. I suggest we review the situation at 6 p.m. regarding the time until which we will sit. There will be a sos from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Order of Business.
When will we take the Report Stage of the Road Traffic Bill, 1993? Will the Leader allow time for a debate on the proposal to partially privatise Telecom Éireann? Will he ask the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications, Deputy Cowen, to address the House and allow Members to express their views on this partial privatisation? This side of the House would like to express its views on it. I am sure Labour Party Senators would like to do the same.
When will the freedom of information legislation, which was promised in the Programme for a Partnership Government, be introduced? In February, the Minister of State, Deputy Fitzgerald, stated she was preparing such legislation. However, the Taoiseach stated yesterday that this legislation was not planned. Will this legislation be introduced in this House during this session?
Item 34 refers to the Law Reform Commission's report on non-fatal offences. An opportunity should be given to the House, prior to the formation of legislation, to express views on it. Strong views have been expressed about parts of the report, especially about corporal punishment in the home. Will the Leader give us an opportunity to express our views before, rather than after, legislation is framed? Many things are often set in stone when legislation is drafted.
Yesterday and last week there were calls for a debate on the Programme for Competitiveness and Work. Is it intended to take this matter next week? If this is agreed, it would be important to allow speakers enough time because it is an important document. Speakers should be allowed more than ten minutes. I have no difficulty with concluding the Committee Stage of the Road Traffic Bill today, provided this is by agreement. How long does the Leader intend we should sit this evening? Will we be here all night at his invitation?
We will co-operate. It was felt that some of us were making repetitive Second Stage type speeches during Committee Stage yesterday. The Minister helped the debate in his own style. When it is intended to bring in legislation dealing with the local government urban and district council elections in June?
Has the Leader any news for us on East Timor? After the short discussion on the Order of Business yesterday I noticed there was a series of questions in the Dáil, during which the Minister for External Affairs was probed and considerable movement was displayed by the Government on this issue. Therefore, I would welcome, as I think would all sides of the House, the opportunity to debate this matter. Finally, is there a new Landlord and Tenant Bill in the pipeline and, if so, will it be introduced in this House and when?
We now have female ushers in Leinster House. I congratulate both Houses of the Oireachtas and the committee in charge of that matter for putting words into action. It should not go unnoticed.
That is what they call equality.
It is not on the Order Paper, but the Senator has made her point.
Would the Leader ask the Minister for Health to come to this House to tell us when the promised legislation on the rights to information and travel will be brought before us?
Report Stage will be taken next Tuesday. We are taking Committee Stage today and will review the time frame for the rest of the day at 6 p.m. Item 34 is an ideal opportunity for Fine Gael Private Members' Business. With regard to Senator Dardis's query, the motion on the Programme for Competitiveness and Work will be taken next Wednesday. We will make inquiries about the Local Authority Bill and I hope that we will take East Timor next week.
Order of Business agreed to.