Seanad Éireann debate -
Thursday, 1 Sep 1994

Vol. 141 No. 1

Death of Member. - Order of Business.

Mr. Wright

Today's Order of Business will be Item 1, Report of the Tribunal of Inquiry into the Beef Processing Industry. It is proposed that, notwithstanding anything in the practice of the Seanad, the rulings relating to references in debate to matters which are awaiting or under adjudication in the courts shall be set aside for the duration of the debate on Item 1 today.

I understand, a Chathaoirligh, that you have received this morning a request from An Taoiseach to summon a meeting of the Seanad to take statements on the announcement by the IRA of a complete cessation of military operations, and that you propose to summon that meeting for today. Accordingly it will be necessary to adjourn the debate on Item 1 at 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. It is proposed that spokespersons on Item 1 will have 45 minutes, and 30 minutes thereafter; speakers may share their time on Item 1. There will be a sos between 5 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. We will make arrangements on the item that will be dealt with by the Cathaoirleach later today.

Mr. O'Toole

I agree with those arrangements as well as lifting the sub judice rule. It is a sensible step and I compliment the Leader of the House on doing that. I would like you, a Chathaoirligh, at an early stage to give an indication as to the procedure for filling the vacancy created by the resignation of Senator Brian Crowley.

Mr. Manning

Are you a candidate?

Mr. O'Toole

We are reshuffling our front bench at the moment so we have room for one.

An Cathaoirleach

I have no role in that matter, Senator O'Toole.

Mr. O'Toole

You are the boss here; you are the person to whom I must speak.

I want to raise one other issue — the unmentionable matter of the increase for Senators, TDs and others.

I want to record my appreciation of the Government moving late and laggardly, but at last on implementing this increase. As a trade union leader, I am appalled to have to work with a group of workers who are embarrassed to get a salary increase.

An Cathaoirleach

Senator O'Toole, we have a restricted sitting today and the only item is what is before you. You have gone a little too far.

Mr. O'Toole

I am almost finished. If anybody is embarrassed by getting a salary increase, I will arrange counselling sessions for them. They must not be working too hard if they have difficulty accepting a pay rise.

Order of Business agreed to.