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Seanad Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Jul 1974

Vol. 78 No. 12

Order of Business.

It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 2 and 4 in that order.

I mentioned on the last occasion, when the Second Stage of the Adoption Bill, was being taken that I should like to see No. 8 on the Order Paper, that is, the Illegitimate Children (Maintenance and Succession) Bill, 1974, taken when the Committee Stage of the Adoption Bill is being taken. At that stage the Leader of the House was not in a position to tell me whether this would be possible. I would be grateful if he would indicate if it will be possible to take this Bill when the Committee Stage of the Adoption Bill is being taken. The subject matter is very much tied in with whatever reforms we bring about in the adoption procedure.

Before the Leader of the House replies, the Chair does not see how it would be possible procedurally to take the Committee Stage of one Bill with the Second Stage of another.

On the last occasion I did not move a formal amendment to this effect because I wanted to give formal notice that I intended to do more at the Second Reading at the same time as the Committee Stage of the Adoption Bill was being taken. At that time I thought that that would be this week but we are resuming the Second Stage of the Adoption Bill to-day. Perhaps I could give formal notice on the Order of Business today that I propose to move the amendment when the Committee Stage of the Adoption Bill is being taken.

I thought I had made this clear the last day. I am sorry if I did not. I do not think it will be possible to take No. 8 before the Recess but what I suggested last week was that if the subject matter of the Illegitimate Children's Bill should be relevant to sections of the other Bill, Senator Robinson might find herself in a position to raise the points in relation to the Committee. I did not intend to give the impression that this other Bill would be taken with the Adoption Bill.

I should like to thank the Leader of the House for clarifying that point. Normally the reason given for not taking the Second Reading of a Bill is because the Minister concerned cannot be present in the House, but as the Minister will definitely be here for the Committee Stage of the Adoption Bill I fail to understand why we cannot have a Second Reading given to the Illegitimate Children (Maintenance and Succession) Bill which has been on the Order Paper for a number of weeks and the subject matter of which is very important. It is linked with any rounded attempts to improve adoption and family law in this area. Therefore, I am surprised not to have had a more concrete reason for not taking it before the Recess.

I did not give the reason that was suggested by Senator Robinson. I hope the Senator appreciates that. If I am asked to give a reason I would refer the Senator to the fact that there are present on the Order Paper five Government Bills. There will be more before the end of the month. As things are, we must make up our minds that Government business this month will have to receive a certain degree of priority.

Order of Business agreed to.
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