The Order of Business is No. 1, State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014 - Committee Stage (resumed), to be taken at 3.45 p.m. and to be adjourned no later than 5.30 p.m., if not previously concluded, and No. 50, motion No. 10, Private Members' business, to be taken at 5.30 p.m. and to conclude no later than 7.30 p.m.
Order of Business
We are on Committee Stage of No. 1. One of its most important provisions is the Government's proposal to remove pension benefits and pension rights to a private pension scheme for the first time in the history of the State. I have tabled amendments in this regard. Should we not conclude the Stage by 5.30 p.m., is the Leader open to extending the time for the debate to provide for its conclusion as opposed to the Government guillotining it?
I said it was to be adjourned.
Tá brón orm. I thank the Leader.
The Leader might request of the Minister for Justice and Equality an update on the District Court service, particularly in the city and county of Dublin. We have been hearing from a number of sources that the Government proposes to close District Court offices in Dublin and to centralise District Court services. I see Senator Bacik is surprised about this so it might be an opportunity for the Members opposite to do something about it in advance of the Minister making a decision. I ask the Leader to use his good offices to get confirmation from the Minister that no District Court in the Dublin metropolitan region will actually be closed and that they will not be centralised in the Phoenix Park.
At 7 p.m. this evening, the Committee of Selection will meet to select two Members of the Seanad as members of the banking inquiry. We debated the Bill in this House with the Taoiseach himself and I put it to the Taoiseach that all of us want to get to the truth of what happened. While there are aspects of the terms of reference of the inquiry that we feel fall short, what I have always hoped is that this would be a genuine effort, in a non-partisan way, by the Government to inquire into what happened around the time of the banking crisis. I understand there are three nominees from the Seanad at the meeting this evening, namely, Senator Susan O'Keeffe from the Government side, Senator Marc MacSharry, my colleague, who was finance spokesperson for four years in the Seanad, and Senator Sean Barrett. Given we are the largest Opposition group in this House, I would assume the Government will support our nominee, Senator Marc MacSharry, to serve on the banking inquiry, which would prove the point that this is not going to be a party-----
That will be discussed at the Committee of Selection.
I am giving the Leader an opportunity, while the House is in session, to let us know what is the Government position in this regard. I have no difficulty with any of the three. If there is a move by the Government to support Senator Sean Barrett to serve on this committee, fair play, but I would ask why the Government did not see fit to support Deputy Peter Mathews in the other House. Should the Government want Senator Barrett-----
That is a matter for the other House.
I am sorry. This legislation was passed here by this House. It is important and relevant because this meeting is happening this evening. I will conclude now-----
This matter will come back before the House when the Committee of Selection meets.
It will. All I am doing is asking that the Leader of the House-----
(Interruptions).
Senator O'Brien, without interruption.
I am asking that the Leader of the House would this afternoon let us know what is the Government position with regard to the selection of Members from Seanad Éireann for the banking inquiry. Should the Government wish to have an Independent Member, Senator Barrett, on the committee, I put it to the Leader that the Government should offer up its place on that committee. Fianna Fáil is the largest Opposition party in the Seanad and it deserves a role on that committee. I hope the Leader will clarify the position and will confirm to me that the Government members of the Committee of Selection will be supporting our nominee, Senator Marc MacSharry, at that meeting at 7 p.m. this evening.