Seanad Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 14 Nov 1984

Vol. 106 No. 1

Business of Seanad.

An Cathaoirleach

I have notice from Senator Mary Robinson that on the motion for the Adjournment of the House today, she proposes to raise the following matter:

The announcement that the Government have agreed to make a double payment in the week ending 7th December 1984 to certain categories of persons in receipt of social welfare benefits and allowances.

I also received notice from Senator Brendan Ryan of the following matter:

The continuing failure of the Department of Health ad hoc committee on the homeless to issue its report.

I regard both matters as suitable for discussion on the Adjournment. I have selected Senator Robinson's motion for today's Adjournment and it will be taken at the conclusion of business. Senator Ryan may give notice for another day of the matter he wishes to raise.

Mr. Killilea

I want to raise a matter under Standing Order 30 which is also relevant to this procedure. Under Standing Order 30 I want your permission to raise the motion.

An Cathaoirleach

It is a pity that you did not give me notice.

Mr. Killilea

It is quite inconvenient on that point. I must say, for rural Senators to be here at 3 o'clock on the day prior to a sitting to hand in those motions. It is a very uncomfortable situation for us. I arrived here at 3.45 p.m. yesterday to discover that I was too late to hand in the motion, but I want your permission under Standing Order 30 to raise this evening a matter of immediate importance which concerns the vocational school in Tuam. The conditions prevailing there are so bad at this moment that there is a——

An Cathaoirleach

If you give me private written notice——

Mr. Killilea

I cannot raise it in any other way because——

An Cathaoirleach

You could not possibly raise it this evening, because there were two motions in before it.

Mr. Killilea

What does one do? The Standing Order is very convenient for people who are living in the city. Due to the conditions in the school yesterday those poor children had to go home because the Minister of this Government has refused to expedite the building of a new school for them. It is a horrifying situation.

An Cathaoirleach

I have to ask the Senator to resume his seat.

Mr. Killilea

I acknowledge the situation the Cathaoirleach is in, but I want to make and emphasise the point. It is little consolation to those people——

An Cathaoirleach

I have to ask the Senator to resume his seat. Standing Orders are not a matter for me. They are a matter entirely for the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and for the House. If you raise it there, it can be examined. I do not want to get into any argument.

Mr. Killilea

But, a Chathaoirligh, under Standing Order 30 I am raising this matter. Do I not have a right to raise it under Standing Order 30 which permits me to raise a matter of immediate importance and extreme urgency?

An Cathaoirleach

Have a look at Standing Order 30. It does not relate to this matter at all.

Mr. Killilea

What does Standing Order 30 cover?

An Cathaoirleach

I will have to ask the Senator to resume his seat.

Mr. Killilea

Please explain to me, and and to the rest of the House, what Standing Order 30 signifies? Does it not give us authority to raise a matter of immediate urgency?

An Cathaoirleach

I shall have to ask the Senator to resume his seat.

Mr. Killilea

Of course I shall resume my seat but under protest. I would appreciate it if the Cathaoirleach would inform me and the rest of the Senators certainly on this side of the House as to the method by which we can raise a matter of immediate urgency in this House.

An Cathaoirleach

I shall discuss that with the Senator when I leave the Chair.

Mr. Killilea

I do not want the onerous task of running around, cap in hand, telling Senators how this should be done.

An Cathaoirleach

I am afraid I must ask you to resume your seat, please.

Mr. Killilea

I will resume my seat, but under protest. It is scandalous that children are sent home from school due to the Government's refusal to sanction the building of a technical school, which is classified as a most important matter and that the Cathaoirleach would do a thing like this to me.

An Cathaoirleach

I shall have to ask you to resume your seat.