I advise Members that there will be a suspension of business after the Order of Business until 2 p.m. as the Minister is not ready to come to the House. I apologise to Members.
Business of Seanad
I also ask the Leader to convey to the Minister that a suspension of an hour and a half on a Thursday is ridiculous.
My office has been in touch with the Minister but she was not available. There is normally an issue with the voting bloc in the Dáil so I ask all Members of this House to talk to their party groups about allowing a Minister to be free so as to have to a chance to prepare for coming into us in this House. It is unfair to us as a House as we try to get through our business in an orderly fashion. I apologise to Members and I will convey the Cathaoirleach's remarks to the Minister.
I hope that this can be resolved because I find this ludicrous. It is not the first time either. I am not blaming the Leader but it is grossly unfair that the system is designed in such a way as to inconvenience the Seanad in favour of the other House. We should protest strongly against this.
Sitting suspended at 12.34 p.m and resumed at 2 p.m.