Seanad Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 7 Nov 2013

Vol. 227 No. 6

Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993 (Amendment of Schedule) (Annex 19 to Chicago Convention) Order 2013: Referral to Joint Committee

Senator Maurice Cummins

I move:

That the proposal that Seanad Éireann approves the following Order in draft:

Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993 (Amendment of Schedule) (Annex 19 to Chicago Convention) Order 2013,

a copy of which Order in draft has been laid before Seanad Éireann on 30th October 2013, be referred to the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications, in accordance with Standing Order 70A(3)(j ), which, not later than 13th November 2013, shall send a message to the Seanad in the manner prescribed in Standing Order 73, and Standing Order 75(2) shall accordingly apply.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

Is the motion agreed to?

Senator Thomas Byrne

The same terms will apply to this motion.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

Point noted.

Senator Mark Daly

For the purpose of clarification, may I ask that the Leader's office circulate what happens at the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality to all members, in order that-----

Senator Maurice Cummins

I do not think-----

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

That would not be appropriate for the Leader.

Senator Mark Daly

What happens at the Joint Committee on Justice-----

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

In fairness, Senator-----

Senator Mark Daly

As so much of this is going through on the nod at committee level, we want to see what scrutiny actually take place.

Senator Ivana Bacik

I object. A debate was called for yesterday on the two motions.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

We do not want a debate on this issue.

Senator Mark Daly

If the Senator objects, I will call a vote.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

I suggest this is a matter that can be raised on the Order of Business again.

Senator Thomas Byrne

On a point of order, these matters relate to functions of the Seanad where we have equal power with the Dáil. We have no 90 day function; we have equal power. If we do not approve of this motion, it will not be passed.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

That is not a point of order.

Senator Thomas Byrne

It is as simple as that. We need to take our responsibility seriously or not exercise it.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

Is the motion agreed to?

Senator Maurice Cummins

Agreed.

Question put and agreed to.

Senator Darragh O'Brien

On the motion, in fairness-----

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

The motion has already been agreed to.

Senator Darragh O'Brien

It has not been agreed to.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

It has been agreed to.

Senator Darragh O'Brien

It has not been agreed to. We have not agreed to it.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

We are moving on to No. 3.

Senator Darragh O'Brien

I want to ask a question because Senator Mark Daly asked a specific question of the Leader. As Senator Ivana Bacik jumped in, we did not get the answer from the Leader. He asked that a commitment be given that the minutes of the scrutiny of any of these motions be circulated to members in order that we could decide. Members can see for themselves the lack of scrutiny that takes place at joint committees. That is a fact.

Senator Maurice Cummins

Certainly my office will not take the responsibility for circulating the minutes of the joint committee.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

I do not think that is a matter we can resolve today.

Senator Maurice Cummins

They are on the Internet.

Senator Darragh O'Brien

I would rather put this on the record of the House. That is why I do not want to have to raise this issue at a meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. I want to have it raised in the House. I understand the Leader has limited resources in his office. Through the Leas-Chathaoirleach I ask that the Seanad Office take on that role to circulate to each of the Senators the minutes of any scrutiny that happens in the joint committee.

Senator Maurice Cummins

That information is online. As each of the political parties is represented on the committees, I expect those members to report back to their own groups.

Senator Mark Daly

When it comes back on the Order Paper, as it will, I suggest that it be circulated to us at the same time. We will be able to see quite clearly-----

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

It will be on the Order Paper.

Senator Maurice Cummins

It will be on the Order Paper.

Senator Mark Daly

Yes, but we want the minutes on the Order Paper.

Senator Maurice Cummins

I am sure the Senator has the resources to look up the minutes.

Senator David Norris

A Leas-Chathaoirligh, as-----

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

We had the Order of Business this morning. There are members interjecting now who should have been in the House at 10.30 a.m. I suggest this issue be dealt with on the Order of Business next Tuesday, not when the Order of Business is over.

Senator Paschal Mooney

On a point of order, are we actually on the record of the House? The screen is not showing live proceedings.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

I think we are.

Senator David Norris

I am not sure if it is a point of order, but as the person who raised this matter yesterday and again today-----

Senator Thomas Byrne

I raised it on Tuesday.

Senator David Norris

----- I am so happy at the Leader's response because he has indicated that this material will come back to us and we can have a debate then. All I wanted to do was to highlight the volume of EU material going through. Several people suggested in legislation proposed before this House that we take on responsibility for its full load. We are not even dealing with what we have and I think we need to be very careful. We have a responsibility to look at particular issues that are of serious interest.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

That is not a point of order.

Senator David Norris

As the person who raised it on both occasions and I was here to do so, I accept the Leader's response.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

The Leader gave a magnanimous, fair and facilitating response which we should accept. We are moving on to No. 3.

Senator Darragh O'Brien

In fairness, we are on No. 2 to which we have not agreed.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

When I called for agreement, nobody said "No". As far as I am concerned, I have ruled on it.

Senator Darragh O'Brien

I am sorry-----

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

I asked if there was agreement and Members said "Yes"; there was no dissenting voice. I declare that it was dealt with and I am not going to reopen it, with all due respect.

Senator Darragh O'Brien

I cannot see where the questions-----

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

We are moving on to No. 3.