Seanad Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 6 Feb 1980

Vol. 93 No. 9

Joint Committee on the Secondary Legislation of the European Communities: Motion.

Mr. E. Ryan

I move:

That, in the period ending 31 December 1980, notwithstanding anything contained in Standing Orders and unless the Seanad shall otherwise order, if the Joint Committee on the Secondary Legislation of the European Communities lays before the Seanad a report containing a request for a debate thereon in the Seanad, one hour and a half shall be set aside for debate on a motion, That, the Seanad take note of such report, on the first day on which the Seanad shall sit after

(a) six clear days have elapsed since the report was laid before the Seanad, and

(b) due notice of the motion has been received by the Clerk from a Member nominated by the Joint Committee.

Mrs. Robinson

I would like to comment briefly and welcome this motion. I have chosen to comment briefly because I have recently been very critical of the Houses of the Oireachtas and of their powers. It is worth noting that the renewal of this motion does significantly improve the possibility of the Seanad playing a useful role in the scrutiny and examination of European Community draft proposals. This motion will renew for 1980 the amendment of the Standing Orders of the Seanad so that if the Joint Committee request in one of their reports on EEC legislation that there be a debate, and a motion to that effect is tabled, then after six clear days this is a mandatory provision that time be allocated to the Seanad for the debate of that motion. We have had some important examples of that, where motions noting reports of the Joint Committee on Youth Employment in the European Community, on the European Monetary System, on the teaching of languages in the Community and other such motions.

It is an example where there has been a willingness by the Seanad—I would like to pay tribute to the Leader of the House in this regard—to extend the possibility of giving an additional function to the Seanad not on an optional basis requiring that time be given if there is no Government business or if it is decided to allow for time in the way that time is allowed for Opposition Motions, but providing time on a mandatory basis so that when the House is sitting, an hour and a half must be allocated for a discussion of the motion and for consideration of the report of the Joint Committee.

I believe this is going to be of increasing importance as European Community proposals and policies impinge more and more on the economic and social life of citizens in this country. We know that there are possible changes envisaged in the common agricultural policy, developments in the regional development fund and such areas, and it is most desirable and welcome that this House have a facility which operates in a mandatory way to debate and discuss the reports of the Joint Committee and the implications of those reports. I welcome the continuation of this facility and note it as one of the most constructive and greatest potential developments the House has seen in recent years.

Mr. Mulcahy

I would like to support what Senator Robinson said. This is a very helpful way of harnessing the Seanad to make meaningful contributions to the analysis of EEC legislation. I would point out—because it was raised earlier on the Order of Business—that this motion enables the House to examine in greater depth the reports of and developments in the European Community. The committee will be able to consider the facts and any contrary views expressed before a debate in this House. The report, which will be available to the Seanad, will enable them to take a distinctively Irish view of particular issues.

I would like to support this motion and note in public how important a move it is. I was concerned about what seems to be a trend toward Government by the Supreme Court. One of the things the Joint EEC Committee are capable of doing is that they can analyse the issues with the help of people who are other than lawyers. I get great solace and encouragement from the fact that, when we are looking at some of these issues, around the table there are technologists, lawyers, architects, administrators, doctors of medicine, all bringing their particular expertise to bear on them.

Mr. Cooney

I agree with all the reasons that have been put forward for welcoming this motion. I suggest to the Leader of the House that those reasons would apply equally to a motion that would enable the House to debate the reports of the Joint Committee on Semi-State Bodies, and I make that proposition to the leader.

Question put and agreed to.