Today's Order of Business is Item 1, the National Monuments (Amendment) Bill, 1993, Second Stage from now until 2 p.m. and Item 2, Second Stage of the European Parliament Elections Bill, 1993. It is hoped to conclude the Second Stage of Item 1 before the time allowed and if we do we will take a sos until 2 p.m.
Order of Business.
The Order of Business is agreed. Since we are not meeting tomorrow, on behalf of my group I wish the Government well in the series of negotiations. At a time like this we are all conscious of the high stakes involved and the need to show solidarity with the Government in trying to attain an end we all seek, peace on this island.
I ask the Leader of the House if, circumstances permitting, the Taoiseach or the Tánaiste could report to this House next week on the current situation. It is also important that if the Government is getting support from all parties it should take both Houses into its confidence. The point was strongly made yesterday by a number of Senators that the desire is to support the Government in any way possible rather than to make party points. Such a process strengthens the Government's hand.
I support Senator Manning. I was impressed by the words of Senator Wilson about the debate on Northern Ireland last week. This issue is so important that it is necessary to be open and seen to be open. We have nothing to hide. I support the request that either the Taoiseach or the Tánaiste speak to this House and ease some of the worries of Unionists in Northern Ireland.
I take the same view as other speakers and would be supportive of whatever moves are made by the two Governments tomorrow. I said yesterday that last week's debate was restrained and balanced and that was underlined by Senator Wilson. I suggest we return to the matter next week. Matters are fluid and they change daily or hourly. It would be useful to have a debate even if the Taoiseach or the Tánaiste were not available, although it would be desirable if one or other could be here. We should resume the debate because we have a contribution to make.
I again ask the Leader of the House to either make inquiries to the Minister for Justice or provide time to discuss the activities of illegal furniture dealers, who have been, in a widely advertised publicity campaign, holding auctions and sales in different parts of the country. They have robbed people of thousands of pounds. Will time be provided to have a full discussion on this issue which is causing widespread anxiety and concern? They are, allegedly, United Kingdom-based illegal operators who operate a highly sophisticated racket here and it is time something was done about it.
I join Senators Manning, Quinn and Dardis in regard to having a further debate on the North of Ireland. I hope the Leader will address that matter and perhaps the debate could be resumed here next week.
Could the Leader also see his way towards having a proper debate, for a duration of approximately two hours, on the farm retirement scheme? This matter was raised recently on the Adjournment by Senator Naughten, but the Minister is circulating draft proposals. There are a certain number of difficult points in the documents which will have to be analysed before they come out as this area is fraught with difficulties. I hope we will get the opportunity to put on record points which may be of assistance in what I envisage will be an important scheme, which will have many beneficial effects, if properly implemented.
From the Government side, I put on the record our welcome of the support from all sides of the House for the peace process discussions starting tomorrow and which will continue over the next three weeks. I will relay the request of the House for the Taoiseach and Tánaiste to report back to it and I will keep it informed. It is an ongoing process, but we know there are three working meetings. It may not be appropriate to report back after the first meeting, but it may be appropriate after the second or third. I also want to put on record my own wishes for success in the discussions between the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister.
In regard to Senator Daly's question on illegal furniture dealers, I will pass on his fears to the Minister for Justice. If we get an opportunity, we will have a debate on the farm retirement scheme before Christmas.
Order of Business agreed to.