An advance schedule of business, proposed by the Leader of the Seanad and circulated for information on Thursday afternoons, indicates the business proposed to be taken each day of the following week.
The advance schedule is published to the website, is amended where the House decides and is always available on the homepage.
Order Paper
The Order Paper is a document prepared by the Seanad Office, published every sitting day, which contains details of all business before the Seanad. It lists Bills that are before the House and the Stage each Bill has reached, in addition to the text of every motion before the House. The Seanad Office may also publish a Supplementary Order Paper.
Order of Business
At the Order of Business, which takes place each sitting day, the Leader of the Seanad proposes the business for that day, the order in which it is to be taken and the arrangements for taking each item of business, for example, the duration of speeches or the time at which a debate is to be adjourned or concluded.
The decision on the Leader’s proposal rests with the House itself. The Cathaoirleach permits relevant questions to the Leader of the House about the business proposed, about the taking of other business on the Order Paper and about arrangements for sittings.
Senators may oppose or seek to amend the Order of Business. Only business that is on the Order Paper may be proposed.
Contact an expert
Last updated: Wed, 9 Jul 2025