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Seanad Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 19 Dec 1972

Vol. 73 No. 16

Order of Business.

It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 2, 3, 6, 4 and 7 on the Order Paper.

Before agreeing to the Order of Business I should like to ask the Leader of the House in what manner it is proposed to take No. 1.

It is suggested that, in view of the fact that we are likely to have a long debate on No. 1, we should pass all Stages of the Bill today and debate it by way of motion after the Christmas recess. We did that last year and it proved satisfactory to all Members of the House.

I should like to take up the last point made by the Leader of the House that it was satisfactory to all Members. It was not satisfactory that we were obliged to pass the Bill and postpone the debate. Last year, when the Bill was thrown to us within a week of Christmas, this side of the House agreed that it was better to debate a motion at leisure in January rather than to debate the Bill under pressure and in haste at the end of December.

I should like to take this opportunity to protest once again that the business of this House is seriously impeded by what happens in another place. I would ask the Leader of the House to make the strongest possible representations in regard to this matter. Because of the circumstances in which we find ourselves, we would once again be agreeable to pass all Stages of this Bill today without debate, but only on the understanding that the debate on the motion will take place during the month of January, 1973, and that three days will be allocated to this debate if required. Those responsible for business in the other House should be informed that the business of this House is impeded by the way in which their financial business is conducted at present.

I should like to ask the Leader of the House if any progress has been made on the request made last January to have the motion for the present year taken while the budget was still a live issue? I appreciate that we are being afforded three days in January to discuss details of the budget. This House could deal much better with the matters concerned in the budget, Department administration, et cetera, by way of motion in June instead of waiting until the Appropriation Bill is presented in December.

I find myself in sympathy with Senator Dooge's point of view regarding the delay in receiving these Bills. I have already made representations on this matter. I will make further representations as requested. I hope Senator Dooge will make representations to his side in the other House to be equally co-operative. The fault does not lie just on one side. With regard to the debate on the motion I agree that we should have three days in January if that is necessary. I should be only too glad to provide that facility.

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