On a point of order, just over half an hour ago I raised the question of a break. I would appreciate the courtesy of having the matter settled now.
Business of Seanad.
We do not propose to break for tea.
On a point of order, will you accept a procedural motion from me to say that we now break for an hour if I have a seconder? I move:
"That the sitting be now suspended for one hour."
I second that.
The question is that the sitting be now suspended for one hour.
If you are accepting this, I would just like to say a word or two as to why I think it is desirable to take this break.
I cannot accept that. I will put the motion as it is and have no time consuming.
On a point of order, is the reason you are declining to accept it that you adjudge it to be time consuming?
No.
If that is not the reason, what was the point of that observation? Will you do me the courtesy of saying why you decline to give me an opportunity to say a few words on it? Will you explain your ruling?
I have accepted the Senator's motion and it has been seconded.
You said I may not speak on it and I was requesting the courtesy of a reason why.
That is a formal motion and it is not the practice to have a discussion on it.
Question put.
The Seanad divided: Tá, 10; Níl, 16.
Tá
- Blennerhassett, John.
- Cooney, Patrick Mark.
- Governey, Desmond.
- Howard, Michael.
- Keating, Justin.
- Lynch, Gerard.
- McDonald, Charles.
- Markey, Bernard.
- O'Brien, Andy.
- Reynolds, Patrick Joseph.
Níl
- Brennan, Séamus.
- Brugha, Ruain.
- Conroy, Richard.
- de Brun, Seamus.
- Donnelly, Michael Patrick.
- Doolan, Jim.
- Harney, Mary.
- Herbert, Anthony.
- Hillery, Brian.
- Lanigan, Michael.
- McGlinchey, Bernard.
- Mulcahy, Noel William.
- Murphy, John A.
- O'Toole, Martin J.
- Ryan, Eoin.
- Ryan, William.
Tellers: Tá, Senators Keating and Reynolds; Nil, Senators W. Ryan and Brennan.
Question declared lost.