Today's Order of Business is Items Nos. 1 and 1 (a) on the Supplementary Order Paper. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the proceedings on the Second and Remaining Stages of the State Authorities (Development and Management) Bill, 1993, and on the motion for earlier signature of the Bill by the President if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 5 p.m. today by one question which shall, in relation to amendments, include only amendments set down or accepted by the Minister for Finance. Business will be interrupted from 1.30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Each spokesperson shall have 30 minutes and other Senators 20 minutes.
Order of Business.
On the Order of Business, is the Leader in a position to give the House at the earliest possible opportunity an indication of the legislation the Government intends to bring into this House this session? Would he ask that as many Bills as possible be initiated in this House? It is important that we re-establish that practice. Second, when is it proposed to set up the committees, especially the Committee on Procedure and Privileges so that we can get off to a speedy start?
Third, could the Leader of the House respond in a positive way to the request that we have at the earliest possible opportunity — next week if possible — the beginning of a series of major debates, especially on the currency crisis and Northern Ireland?
On today's Order of Business, we all recognise that the High Court decision has created a major problem and that many jobs are at risk, but I join with the call made by Deputy Jim Kemmy yesterday that, because of the serious nature of this Bill, it could be postponed so that we can reflect on it. It is a short Bill which contains very draconian powers and as a general principle, rushing into legislation and having it processed through both Houses on ensuing days is not a good practice, especially since one of the main purposes of this House is to allow for reflection. I am not putting this to the test but I would ask the Leader of the House if he would bear in mind what I say about the undesirable nature of pushing this legislation through without proper reflection and consideration.
I do not wish to re-iterate the points Senator Manning has made but I will develop them slightly. In the context of the discussions that took place yesterday I put it to the Leader of the House that a serious and determined attempt should be made to ensure that appropriate legislation is initiated in this House. I thoroughly agree with Senator Manning's proposal that a list of the legislation which is to come before this House should be prepared as quickly as possible. It should include a very clear commitment to the initiation of legislation, which was referred to by a number of speakers yesterday.
The other issue I wish to raise relates to committees. In the previous Seanad we had a sub-committee working on the procedures and operation of the House. In the spirit of enthusiasm shown by people from all sides yesterday, I would ask the Leader that it would be brought into operation and re-established as quickly as possible.
Finally, I welcome the idea of putting a time limit on Second Stage speeches and I think this should be done on all occasions. When somebody speaks in this House there should be a clear limit time.
That is another area. We will talk about it again.
No, it is on the Order of Business. I am saying I support the proposal on the Order of Business to have a 30 minute and a 20 minute time limit on speeches.
On this particular Bill?
Yes. Finally, on a happier note, may I congratulate the prominent INTO member, Senator Brian Mullooly, on achieving the position of Government Whip. I also congratulate my fellow parishioner, Senator Tom Fitzgerald, on achieving the high office of Assistant Whip.
That is not on the Order of Business either, Senator.
May I ask the Leader of the House for a debate as soon as possible on the report of the Commission on the Status of Women. It is an historic document and I would hate to think it would be put on the shelf.
May I raise a matter that has worried me for some time. I see two civil servants in the House. I suggest that when there are civil servants in the House we should be told who they are and who they represent.
That is not for the Order of Business.
It is disgraceful.
It is not appropriate on the Order of Business.
They are duly checked into the House by their Ministers, they are working on behalf of the people and they are welcome.
The question should not be raised on the Order of Business. There are ways and means of raising the matter.
Ba mhaith liom comhghairdeachas a ghabháil leat. I take this opportunity to congratulate you warmly on your election. I have no doubt that you will carry out your duties in your usual fine, polished manner. I join with my colleague Senator O'Toole in congratulating Senator Mullooly, Senator Fitzgerald and Senator Wright. I am very glad Senator Wright has been re-elected as Leader of the House. He has performed this task in a most gracious, civilised, courteous and accommodating manner.
It is not appropriate on the Order of Business.
I concur with Senator O'Toole; civil servants should not be named.
It is not appropriate on the Order of Business. I have ruled it is for another place.
Fine. May I ask about the committees? There is one committee which is of special significance because it is a completely new committee and is one on which an undertaking was given in this House in the last session by the then Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Andrews. I ask the Leader of the House if we could have some information as soon as possible on the moves to establish a foreign affairs committee.
The Government Chief Whip has announced the legislative programme, which I will circulate to each Member of the House. One of the first letters I will send from my office today will be to all the Ministers asking them to initiate in this House many of the Bills proposed for the next session. We had some success in that during the last session and I hope it will be continued. It is intended to deal with the Seanad committees next week and there will be some announcements on the all-party committees and the Oireachtas committees in the next couple of weeks, particularly the foreign affairs committee. Major debates will be part of the agenda for the future. In response to Senator Ormonde, I will consider the possibility of a debate on the report of the Commission on the Status of Women.
Order of Business agreed to.