On a point of order, the Order of Business refers to Committee Stage of the Fines (Payment and Recovery) Bill 2013. I am now told we are planning to take Committee and Remaining Stages. Is that correct? This certainly is not on the Order Paper.
Business of Seanad
My understanding is that the Leader proposed on the Order of Business this morning that we take Committee and Remaining Stages.
That is a change from what is on the Order Paper. I did not realise this.
I stand to be corrected. Perhaps a direction from the Chair is required. I believe that if the Leader makes a proposal on the Order of Business, it supersedes what is on the Order Paper. Is that the case?
By agreement of the House.
I accept that; I misread it.
There is an item that we are not taking tomorrow. The Order of Business for tomorrow had to be changed because amendments from the Department of Health on the smoking in cars legislation are not ready. Therefore, we do have a slot if there is willingness on the Government side to take Report Stage of the fines legislation tomorrow. This would allow us to consider these matters overnight rather than have the House suspend. This is a possibility and I leave it to the judgment of the Cathaoirleach and the Leader. At least, we have the option of using the slot.
I understand the House has ordered that all Stages be taken today.
I accept that; the point I made was that I did not realise it. It was not on the Order Paper. I missed the statement that all Stages would be taken today. Senator Sean D. Barrett has outlined an option. I would like these matters debated today and to give the Minister a chance to consider them overnight. Perhaps Remaining Stages could be dealt with tomorrow.
On a point of order, perhaps we might ask the Leader to consider changing the order before we conclude Committee Stage. There are two points to which we said we would return on Report Stage. Perhaps there is a reason for postponement. I ask that a call be made to the Leader to consider taking Report Stage tomorrow or on another date on which the Minister will be available.
I will check with the office of the Cathaoirleach.