The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on job creation and the role of FÁS, with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed 15 minutes and of all other Senators not to exceed ten minutes. Senators may share time.
Mr. Manning: I am concerned at the amount of business we are getting in the House. I asked the Leader last week if he could give the House some indication as to the legislation to be taken between now and the end of session. I understand, for reasons which he has explained to me, that he cannot do it this morning. The Opposition and the House in general would like to know, given that there is a dearth of legislation. The point was raised yesterday. If past experience is anything to go on, we will end up at the last week of the session with four or five Bills, all Stages of which the Government and the Departments will be asking to be taken on the same day. It is a dreadful way to organise business when we have virtually no legislation in front of us.
What is the position on the Pensions Bill? This Bill was brought in during the first week of the session and Second Stage was passed. Committee Stage has not been taken yet. My understanding is that the Bill will be almost as big again when Committee Stage is taken as it will have two or three new chapters. It was published as half a Bill, which is a strange way to do business. It is bad practice to introduce a Bill on Second Stage and bring along what is virtually a new Bill on Committee Stage. Will the Leader indicate when the Government amendments will be available for Committee Stage, the extent of these amendments and what time will be given to the Opposition to study them? My understanding is that virtually half the Bill will be new.
I would also ask for a discussion on the events in Afghanistan. It is clear we do not have anything of value to say on the military aspect of the war in Afghanistan but we have a good deal to say and a good deal of expertise to offer on the whole humanitarian and aid aspects and on consensus building, if that is possible, in the post-Taliban situation. It would be useful if, next week, we could have a full debate on Afghanistan with, perhaps, particular emphasis on the humanitarian aid and the new government-building process there.