It is proposed to take business as on the Order Paper as follows: Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6.
An Bille Toghcháin (Leasú), 1961. - Order of Business.
Is it intended to dispose of the motions on the Order Paper before the Seanad rises and, if so, would special time not be set aside for the discussion of those motions in subsequent sittings?
The motions will be taken as soon as possible in their order.
On the Order of Business, I should just like to ask what I have asked for the past few sessions of the Seanad, namely, whether any final decision has been taken with regard to the Reporting Staff. We understood on the last occasion that it was under active consideration and that arbitration had been suggested and accepted by the staff under certain conditions. I understand that today, as last time, there are only three members of the Reporting Staff available for the Seanad and only four for the Dáil and that, inevitably, in these circumstances, there will be a big backlog of work. I feel that the matter has been put on the long finger in defiance of the obvious desire of both Houses to have the matter settled. The Reporting Staff is employed on our behalf and something more than talk about active consideration should be done. Could I know what has been done?
The position regarding the Reporting Staff dispute is that they have been asked to avail themselves of the arbitration and conciliation machinery that is normally used to enable these matters to be adjusted. So far as I am aware, no move has been made in this direction by the Reporting Staff. That is all I can say about the matter at the moment.
I understood—in fact, I mentioned it and it was not denied—that they had accepted arbitration, provided the status quo ante is maintained during the arbitration.
I am afraid that is not a matter for the Chair. The position is as I have indicated and the Committee on Procedure and Privileges is kept informed of developments.
Could we have the assurance of the Chair that the matter will not be allowed to slide further? I feel it is getting to a very serious position which might result in our having no report at all of either House of Parliament.
Anything the Chair can do will not be left undone.
When may we expect the report of this particular meeting of the Seanad to be made available? The last report was delayed five or six days beyond the normal period. That can be very inconvenient when it comes to putting down amendments.
I am afraid I am not in a position to say when the report will be issued.
At that rate, we should be able to meet only at fortnightly intervals.