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Seanad Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 21 May 1987

Vol. 116 No. 3

Committee of Selection.

I move:

That, in pursuance of Standing Order No. 68 of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, the Committee of Selection be appointed and do consist of the following members:—

The Leas-Chathaoirleach, Senators Denis Cregan, Jack Daly, Willie Farreil, Tom Fitzgerald, Jack Fitzsimons, John Harte, Seán F. Haughey, Tom McEllistrim, Joe O'Toole and William Ryan.

I would like to make a short comment on the first item on the Clár here this morning because of a comment yesterday. I think every Senator here witnessed eight to ten Senators standing against the back wall of this room. I only refer to this room as a room because I never approved of it as suitable for a Seanad Chamber. I understand that alternative accommodation is being looked at and because of the feeling that Senators may not know what was going on, I say that anything that I am aware of as Cathaoirleach will be made known. The Committee on Procedure and Privileges, in which we all have a say, will only do the right thing for the Seanad to ensure a proper Chamber. I think the former Seanad never really approved of this room and indeed the new Seanad saw the situation here yesterday. All I can say is that we will try to get a proper alternative Chamber for this Seanad as soon as possible. This follows other little upsets regarding accommodation, etc. That will also be dealt with. It is only in everybody's interest to try to have a proper Chamber for the Upper House.

In view of your remarks I think in fairness the Leader of the House yesterday said that he was not dealing with rumours, only with facts. We were concerned yesterday about the rumours and written rumours about decisions that were being made about where the Seanad should sit and you have rightly pointed out that the committee which would normally decide and bring back its decision here has not met. That was the objection of the people who raised the matter yesterday initially that decisions seem to have been made about where the Seanad would sit without the Seanad itself and its Procedure and Privileges Committee making such a decision formally. I accepted the assurance of the Leader of the House yesterday that he was not interested in rumour or newspaper articles about this, and that it should be dealt with properly. I look forward to it being dealt with properly because, like yourself, we all have a say in where this House should sit. Where the rumours emanated from is another question.

To accelerate or attempt to accelerate the business which has been mentioned, I suggest that the Whips could get together today to try to have the Committee of Selection meet today. If they can meet today we can get down to the selection of the Committee or Procedure and Privileges which we would hope could then meet early next week.

Question put and agreed to.
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