I welcome Lena Quinn, the new Clerk to the committee. She replaces the hard-working Richard Manley. She will be assisted by Antoinette Mernagh who replaces Wendy Griffiths. I and the other members of the committee look forward to working with these new assistants. Lena previously worked with the committee under the chairmanship of Deputy Callely, now Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children. She has much experience of the demands and procedures pertaining to the work of the committee.
Business of Select Committee.
I wish to raise a question on behalf of those of us who must draft amendments to Bills for Committee Stage debates. This is the first meeting of the select committee for some time. It will deal with Committee Stage of the Bill before us and may resume its deliberations tomorrow. Consideration of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill is due to be considered on Wednesday, 10 and Thursday, 11 December, while Question Time in the Dáil on Tuesday, 9 December will deal with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. In the remaining week of the session, Report and Final Stages of this Bill, assuming Committee Stage is completed, and the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill are due to be taken. Am I correct in assuming that will be the extent of the demands on members of this committee between now and Christmas?
The Chief Whip has also asked the committee to consider the Industrial Relations Bill. It will be difficult to schedule it, but we should review progress and see if it is possible to do so. At this stage it is too early to make a decision.
I raise this matter now because I want the committee to make a decision in respect of its legislative programme. It will alter my attitude to facilitating the early enactment of the other two Bills if our position is to be abused in that manner.
We have never been found wanting in the past and we will not be found wanting on this occasion. As Chairman it has been my pleasure to work closely with Deputy Howlin and Deputy Hogan and the other members of the committee. You are senior parliamentarians with enormous experience in dealing with legislation.
The use of praise does not detract from the fact that the committee has a difficulty.
We are all agreed that it may not be possible to schedule everything.
While the Minister has considerable expertise and back-up at her disposal, other members of the committee need time to research and formulate amendments to Bills. For example, the Department has submitted over 80 amendments in connection with one of the Bills.
I understand a number of them duplicate amendments submitted by Opposition Deputies.
We do not know as we have not yet had time to consider them.
Will the committee make a decision on this matter?
We do not know what progress we will make.
We will make little or no progress in the absence of a decision.
I hope the Deputy is not pointing a gun at the Chair.
I wish to consult with the trade unions on the Industrial Relations Bill but my work programme over the next two weeks does not allow for that. I am honoured to be a member of the Oireachtas Commission that will also meet formally for a full day next week. In view of this I will not be in a position to adequately prepare for a third Bill. I ask the Chair to have regard to the members of the committee, which, with all due respect, is his first responsibility rather than to the diktat of the Chief Whip, who can impose any number of Bills on us. Either the House or the Executive asserts its rights. As a committee our duty is to the House.
I support the views expressed by Deputy Howlin. We are reasonable and always behave reasonably. We do not wish to upset the Chair or anybody else but we want the full co-operation of the Chair on this matter.
That has never been in question.
The Chair hesitated slightly.
I congratulate Deputy Howlin on being appointed to the Oireachtas Commission. I suggest that Deputy Hogan, Deputy Howlin, Deputy Callanan and I meet with the Whip over lunch. I fully agree with the sentiments that have been expressed. Is that agreed? Agreed.