It is proposed that we adjourn now until 8 p.m. and that two hours be devoted to the Insurance Bill. I suggest that during the interval the Whips should discuss how the two hours ought to be divided between Second Stage and the remaining Stages.
Business of Seanad.
There have been considerable discussions about this Bill in both the Dáil and the Seanad. There are no procedures for limiting debate in this House and nobody has seen fit to bring me officially into any sort of trust about the matter which is coming before the House later. The Leader of Fianna Fáil in the House was informed, I understand, in some detail about the necessity for and the urgency of this Bill. I have not been so informed. However, I accept the word of the Leader of the House that it is a matter of great urgency but I would point out that when there are matters which are of an emergency nature which require urgent consideration, there is an Independent group in this House and that they deserve and are entitled to be consulted and informed of the reasons for any emergency legislation being brought before us.
In view of what Senator Ryan has said, I should like to explain to the House what I did this morning. I consulted with three people this morning on this matter. I consulted with Senator Lanigan, the Leader of the Opposition; I consulted with Senator Ferris who is the Leader of the Labour Party in this House, and I consulted with Senator Catherine McGuinness who is the representative of the Independent group on the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. I thought she would be the appropriate person to discuss it with and having sought her for some time I managed to discuss it with her as soon as she came to the House.
Sitting suspended at 6.55 p.m. and resumed at 8 p.m.
As indicated before the break, there were discussions about how we might make the best use of the time that is available to this House to deal with this urgent matter. The suggestion is that the Minister should be called to conclude the Second Stage shortly after 9 o'clock, say between 9 p.m. and 9.15 p.m. This should allow the Senators themselves, apart from the Minister, some 45 minutes for Second Stage, plus the Minister's introduction and conclusion, and then 45 minutes for Committee Stage. It is hoped that this arrangement will work.
We agree with the Leader of the House on this. It is unfortunate that we have to bring a Bill of this nature into the House at such short notice. We would like to facilitate the Minister in his efforts on this Bill.