As the contributions are three times longer than the Second Stage contributions it is obvious we need more time. Can I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the debate will adjourn at midnight, if not previously concluded?
Business of Seanad
No, you cannot.
Is that agreed?
No. It is not agreed. It is rubbish. More bullying.
A Chathaoirligh----
I have to deal with this matter first, Senator Crown.
Can I take my seat while this is being dealt with?
Yes. You can resume your seat.
I am not yielding the-----
The Leader has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, "That the debate on the Bill be extended to midnight, if not previously concluded."
On a point of order, I thought I received a schedule from the Leader's office stating that it would extend to midnight. Is that correct?
No. To clarify, the Order for Business today stated this debate was to run from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Leader is now proposing, as is his right, that it be extended to 12 midnight, if not previously concluded. Is that agreed?
No. I want to ask a question of the Leader.
There will be no questions. It is a proposal.
On a point of order, supposing, for example, the debate is not finished-----
That is a supposition, not a point of order.
I do not care. Does the Leader propose to have us sitting here until 2 a.m., 4 a.m., 6 a.m. or 7 a.m.? Some of us have jobs.
That is not a point of order. It is a supposition.
I do not care what it is; it is a point of disorder then. A bit of information is no harm, even from this lousy Government.
Senator Norris, with all due respect, the question is that-----
There is no question yet.
I am putting the question.
On a point of order, it has not been put.
Senator Leyden-----
On a point of order-----
I hope it is a point of order.
Of course it is a point of order.
I doubt that very much.
It is unprecedented to change the rules-----
That is not a point of order. I am putting the question that the amendment be-----
-----in the middle of the day.
Members are being given more time.
I am putting the question.
This is bully-boy tactics to try to get the Bill-----
Is the amendment agreed to? Agreed. No?
Members can have all the time in the world.
You are changing the rules.
Those in favour say "Tá".
(Interruptions).
Ciúnas.
On a point of order, the Government side has made a significant contribution by not opening one little beak over there-----
Senator Norris-----
-----which shows how ashamed they are. It is a disgrace.
Senator Norris, please resume your seat.
They cannot complain about us talking too long when they have not even opened their gobs.
Senator Norris, please resume your seat. As a matter of respect to the Chair, when the Chair puts a question, points of order cannot be made. It is either voted on or not. It has been agreed. Is that correct?
When I asked the question nobody said "No".
I said "No" about 1,000 times.
Not when I asked the question.
"Yes" or "No" is the answer, and Votáil.
Question put.
The Seanad divided by electronic means.
In view of the close outcome, I request that, under Standing Order 62(3)(b), the division be taken again other than by electronic means.
Question put:
The Seanad divided: Tá, 29; Níl, 19.
Tá
- Bacik, Ivana.
- Bradford, Paul.
- Brennan, Terry.
- Burke, Colm.
- Clune, Deirdre.
- Coghlan, Eamonn.
- Coghlan, Paul.
- Conway, Martin.
- Cummins, Maurice.
- D'Arcy, Jim.
- D'Arcy, Michael.
- Gilroy, John.
- Harte, Jimmy.
- Hayden, Aideen.
- Healy Eames, Fidelma.
- Henry, Imelda.
- Keane, Cáit.
- Kelly, John.
- Landy, Denis.
- Moloney, Marie.
- Moran, Mary.
- Mullins, Michael.
- Noone, Catherine.
- O'Donnell, Marie-Louise.
- O'Keeffe, Susan.
- O'Neill, Pat.
- Sheahan, Tom.
- van Turnhout, Jillian.
- Whelan, John.
Níl
- Barrett, Sean D.
- Byrne, Thomas.
- Crown, John.
- Cullinane, David.
- Daly, Mark.
- Leyden, Terry.
- Mac Conghail, Fiach.
- MacSharry, Marc.
- Mooney, Paschal.
- Norris, David.
- Ó Murchú, Labhrás.
- O'Brien, Darragh.
- O'Brien, Mary Ann.
- O'Donovan, Denis.
- O'Sullivan, Ned.
- Reilly, Kathryn.
- Walsh, Jim.
- Wilson, Diarmuid.
- Zappone, Katherine.
Tellers: Tá, Senators Paul Coghlan and Aideen Hayden; Níl, Senators Sean D. Barrett and John Crown.
Question declared carried.