It is proposed to take Nos. 1 to 5, in that order.
Order of Business.
The Order of Business is beginning with No. 1?
Numbers 1 to 5 in that order.
I really do not think that that Order of Business is satisfactory because it does not seem to me clear that the Restrictive Practices Bill should have any precedence over Items Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 5. I do not dispute the ruling of the Chair but I must say at this stage I do not like the Order of Business as it stands.
The Chair has no function as far as the Order of Business is concerned.
I support Senator Martin; I do not like the Order of Business——
I should like to point out that there is no ruling about the Order of Business. I am merely proposing that the items be taken in that order.
I would like to propose that the Family Planning Bill, which has been passed by the Dáil, No. 8, should be No. 1 on the Order of Business today, for very good reasons.
That is a better Family Planning Bill.
Number 6 on the Order Paper.
Sorry, No. 6. I propose that we discuss the Health (Family Planning) Bill today, on the grounds that it is a more urgent issue than the Restrictive Practices Bill. It has cleared the Dáil. I would like to stick on this one; I am looking for support.
I would like to support Senator Martin on this.
Is Senator Martin proposing an amendment to the Order of Business?
Yes, that Item No. 6 on the Order Paper be taken first, and I have as my seconder Senator West.
Hear, hear.
I call on Senator E. Ryan to reply on the Order of Business and to conclude.
The Minister concerned is not available today. If the House wants to pass this amendment it means we adjourn today. I am not going away for July or August and I do not mind how long this House sits but certainly it will set back the time when we recess by a couple of weeks. If the House wants to do that, it is in their power. I do not make any ruling about the Order of Business; I merely propose how the items be taken. If the House wants to pass this kind of amendment it is entirely in their power to do so but they would have to take the consequences which possibly would cut rather deeply into their vacation plans.
I think the Leader of the House is under-rating the powers of selfsacrifice that exist on this side of the House.
Is the Order of Business agreed? Is the amendment withdrawn?
No. Vótáil.
The Leader of the House has proposed that the Order of Business be Nos. 1 to 5 inclusive. An amendment has been proposed by Senator Martin, seconded by Senator West, that Item No. 6 be inserted before Item No 1, as the first item on the Order of business. I am putting the question: "That Item 6 be inserted first.
The Seanad divided: Tá: 7; Níl: 24.
Tá
- Harte, John.
- Hussey, Gemma.
- Keating, Justin.
- McAuliffe, Timothy.
- Martin, Thomas Augustine.
- Robinson, Mary T.W.
- West, Timothy Trevor.
Níl
- Brennan, Séamus.
- Brugha, Ruairí.
- Cassidy, Eileen.
- Conroy, Richard.
- Cranitch, Mícheál.
- Donnelly, Michael Patrick.
- Dowling, Joseph.
- Ellis, John.
- Goulding, Lady.
- Hanafin, Des.
- Harney, Mary.
- Herbert, Anthony.
- Hillery, Brian.
- Hyland, Liam.
- Jago, R. Valentine.
- Kiely, Rory.
- Kitt, Michael.
- Lambert, C. Gordon.
- Lanigan, Michael.
- McGowan, Patrick.
- Mulcahy, Noel William.
- O'Toole, Martin J.
- Ryan, Eoin.
- Whitaker, Thomas Kenneth.
Tellers: Tá, Senators Martin and West; Níl, Senators Conroy and Brennan.
Amendment declared lost.
Order of Business agreed to.