Seanad Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 17 Oct 1984

Vol. 105 No. 11

Order of Business.

Professor Dooge

Before going to the Order of Business, I feel Members of this House would like to join with me in deploring the outrage that occurred in Brighton at the end of last week in which a Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom was killed and a member of the British Cabinet was injured.

In regard to the Order of Business for today, it is proposed to take Nos. 1, 2 and 3. If No. 3 is reached before 5.30 p.m., no break will be taken and it is proposed that 90 minutes be devoted to the discussion of No. 3. If No. 3 is not reached by 5.30 p.m., it is proposed to adjourn from 5.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. and to take No. 3 from 6.30 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Following the Adjournment of the House the last day there were representations from some Members that the House should not meet today as ordered because of the elections to Údarás na Gaeltachta. Following discussions among groups in the House, it was decided we should go ahead but, by agreement, there would be no votes, other than any necessary votes in regard to the conduct of business today. Accordingly, I propose as part of our Order of Business that if any vote arises on any of the questions that will be put at the conclusion of either Nos. 1, 2 and 3, it shall be taken on the next sitting day.

Mr. Lanigan

I wish to join with the Leader of the House in the condemnation he has expressed of the outrage that occurred in Brighton. On the Order of Business, we note that today there is no legislation on the Order Paper. Will the Leader of the House indicate what is the Government's intention over the next couple of weeks regarding the initiation of legislation here if the other House is taken up with the debate on the national plan? Is there anything in the pipeline to which we need to address ourselves?

Mr. Ferris

On behalf of the Labour Party I wish to join with the Leader of the House in expressing our condolence with the victims of the outrage which occurred in Brighton, responsibility for which has been claimed by people who are supposed to represent sections of this country but who have no mandate. There is no need to put on record my total disagreement with the political philosophy of the present British Government but I would be the first to stand in defence of any democracy. The British Government were elected through the democratic process. I respect democracy and I object to people resorting to other means to usurp the process of democracy. If they think that by carrying out such outrages they will postpone the day in which a democratic solution may be reached, I hope it will be proved by all concerned, the British Government and by our Government, that this process will not be accepted by those of us who respect democracy.

Mr. Ross

Very briefly, I would like to join in the obviously universal condemnation of the outrage in Brighton last week. I think it is appropriate that this House should express such views, not because we share in any way the guilt of those who commit such a crime, but because sometimes they claim to do it in our name. It is appropriate that we should make it clear to the people of Britain, who very often confuse the IRA with Ireland and Irishmen as being synonymous with the IRA, that, as a House, we unanimously condemn their actions.

Mrs. Rogers

On behalf to my own party and the nationalist people of Northern Ireland whom we represent, I wish to associate myself with what has been said about the outrage in Brighton and to express the sincere hope that nothing will allow democratic politicians on this island or on the neighbouring island to be deterred from the very necessary work towards a political solution for all of us.

Professor Dooge

In regard to forthcoming business, it is anticipated that during this session four Bills will be initiated in the Seanad. The first of these is likely to be the canals Bill, which is concerned with the transfer of ownership of the inland navigation system. There will be another Bill — I was not prepared for the question and I do not have the exact title — dealing with transport issues. It is also proposed that the National Archives Bill and the National Monuments Bill be introduced in the Seanad. Here it is more difficult to say when they will be introduced. They are at present with the Attorney General's office because of legal difficulties involved. I have also urged the Government Whip's office that they should send to us as soon as possible legislation now in the Dáil. In particular I have asked for the Employers' Insolvency Bill which is concerned with the guarantee of wages on the occasion of a firm going into bankruptcy. I have asked that this Bill which is in Committee in the Dáil be brought to us as soon as possible. Until we get these there is a natural hiatus. However, there have already been discussions and it is proposed to have a two-day debate on the national plan in this House. That debate is proposed for Tuesday and Wednesday, 30 and 31 October.

Order of Business agreed to.