On the adjournment, could I ask the Leader of the House whether there is any clearer picture now of what the order looks like for next week? In Senator West's absence I reiterate the concern he expressed that the Northern Ireland debate would take place at a convenient time and that it would be taken all together. I might add in my own case—and I am sure also in the case of many country Senators—it is more than ever important for us to know, in advance, what is the most likely time for this debate to take place.
Business of Seanad.
We hope on Wednesday to take the Landlord and Tenant Bill and on Thursday morning, commencing at 10.30 a.m., the motion on Northern Ireland.
Thursday morning?
Thursday morning The Landlord and Tenant Bill on Wednesday at 2.30 p.m. I expect that will be the way it will be taken.
There was discussion earlier with regard to the length of that debate, whether it is to be a three-hour or five-hour debate. Is that to be left for discussion between interested——
We will decide that on Thursday morning. We have no objection to allowing it go on for, say, five hours rather than three if the other parties are agreeable.
In that case we should be turning over in our minds whether we should not extend the time pro rata for each speaker.
Agreed.
It is an important and indeed difficult subject; to have to speak on an important difficult subject in a compressed space of time could lead one into making a speech without fully developing all that one might want to say with dangerous risk of misinterpretation. Perhaps the Whips will discuss it.
The Seanad adjourned at 5.05 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 7 June 1978.