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Seanad Éireann - Volume 135 - 24 March, 1993

Order of Business.

Mr. Wright: Today's Order of Business will be items 1 and 10. Item 1 will be taken from now until 6 p.m. and from 8 p.m. until 10 p.m. I suggest the contribution of each Member should not exceed 30 minutes for spokespersons and 20 minutes thereafter. Item 10 will be taken between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Matters on the Adjournment will be taken at the conclusion of business.

Mr. Manning: On the Order of Business, could I ask the Leader of the House about Oireachtas reform? One of the main items in the Programme for a Partnership Government was the setting up of four new committees of the Dáil. This House has been completely excluded from the process of reform. It is not mentioned in the Programme for a Partnership Government. One of the main themes on the first day of this session was that we wanted to be involved in updating our procedures, particularly in extending the committee system. In view of the fact that this House is totally excluded from the main business committees, has the Leader of the House any proposals as [784] to how this House could set up its own committee system or be involved in the present system? If not, would he consider calling a meeting of the leaders of the various groups to see if an agreed programme could be put together that would enable us to be part of this process?

Mr. O'Toole: For some weeks I have been attempting to get decent and acceptable facilities for the Members of the Independent University Group. I have failed to do so. I have reached the limit of my endurance. We have been treated disgracefully. We have the worst membership to secretarial ratio. We have the poorest space facilities, and we have no meeting facilities. I will not put up with it any longer and neither will the Members of this group. I would ask you to use your good offices to intervene in this matter. I have raised it with the Leader of the House and I am now raising it formally with the Chair. As and from next week I intend to make my presence felt at every moment of the operation of this House until I get some satisfaction.

I listended to Senator Manning talk about the need for reform to get this House working more effectively. We are unable to continue to operate in the current system. I intend to raise no other point and will not object to the Order of the Business. I will, however, be outlining for the House next Wednesday the precise facilities every other group has, the ratio of secretarial help to Members and the space available. I will not accept anything less.

An Cathaoirleach: You are making a speech. I am prepared to talk privately to the Senator at any time. I can give him an assurance that when we have a meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges next Wednesday it will appear as a specific item on the agenda.

Mr. O'Toole: I accept that, but I have waited long enough already. I have spoken to everybody available and I wish for some intervention before next Wednesday.

[785] An Cathaoirleach: The Committee on Procedure and Privileges meeting can be held tomorrow if that suits. I had arranged for next Wednesday but if you want it more urgently I will arrange it.

Mr. O'Toole: I would be happy to talk to you about it, a Chathaoirligh.

Mr. Norris: I support what Senator O'Toole has said. You will notice that I have placed an item on the Order of Business for today, Item 11, which deals in strong terms with this issue. Although Senator O'Toole made the point that the Independent University Senators are by far the worse treated, everybody in this House is labouring under conditions that do not make us efficient and this should be looked at. Members from all sides will agree that we would be much more efficient, and would contribute in a far better way, if we had better facilities.

An Cathaoirleach: You are making a speech, Senator. I note your concern. I, too, am concerned about the matter and will endeavour to rectify it.

Mr. Norris: We very much appreciate your concern in this matter. I also want to support what Senator Manning has said. I seem to be in a very supportive role today. Could we have some specific information on the establishment of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs?

Mr. Farrell: I am delighted the Leader of the House has announced a debate on Northern Ireland for tomorrow. I congratulate Senator Gordon Wilson on the initiative he has taken to speak with the IRA in an effort to bring peace to Northern Ireland.

An Cathaoirleach: It is not appropriate to the Order of Business. We all agree totally with what you are saying but it is something for tomorrow when we will have statements on Northern Ireland.

Mr. Quinn: When is it intended to continue with Second Stage of the Unfair [786] Dismissals (Amendment) Bill, 1992? I was surprised to discover a gap of three weeks in the middle of dealing with this Bill. When we have the opportunity to initiate a Bill in this House, it is a shame that we do not give it the priority it deserves. If we have to have a gap, the time for that is after Second Stage when we would have time to consider how we are to handle it on Committee Stage. I would urge that priority be given to any Bills initiated in this House in future.

Mrs. McGennis: In view of the huge increase in drug abuse in Dublin and throughout the country, and the fact that members of the Garda Síochána and the public are being threatened by HIV infection with syringes, can the Leader of the House indicate if it is his intention to arrange for a debate on the increase in drug abuse?

Mr. Farrelly: May I ask the Leader of the House if he intends to introduce a motion to call on the Government to change the budget proposals which led to 10,000 people demonstrating outside the Houses of the Oireachtas yesterday?

An Cathaoirleach: This is not a matter for the Order of Business. It is a matter for the Finance Bill and I am sure the Senator will make his comments at the appropriate time.

Mr. Farrelly: Since we had a motion here two weeks ago——

An Cathaoirleach: We are not having a debate on this matter on the Order of Business, Senator Farrelly.

Mr. Farrelly: I understand that. Since the Government parties voted against the motion we had put down, 60, 80 or 100 jobs have been lost.

An Cathaoirleach: I am not allowing a debate on this issue. The Senator will have ample opportunity to deal with this matter.

[787] Mr. Farrelly: May I ask for your guidance?

An Cathaoirleach: My guidance is very simple. You will have plenty of opportunity to make your point on legislation coming to this House in the near future.

Mr. Farrelly: What about the people who lose their jobs in the meantime?

An Cathaoirleach: I have made my ruling Senator, and I would ask you to abide by it.

Mr. Farrelly: May I ask for your guidance? When there is a serious threat to jobs, can we initiate a procedure so we can have matters of great urgency discussed, such as that which brought 10,000 people out on the streets yesterday?

An Cathaoirleach: There are methods available within Standing Orders for raising matters of concern to Members. It is not relevant to today's Order of Business. I call on the Leader of the House to reply.

Mr. Farrelly: Maybe we could ask for an adviser.

An Cathaoirleach: Senator Farrelly, I do not wish to be unfair to you, but I object to this sniping at me or other Members. We have a very good reputation in this House for making speeches. Sound legitimate political banter is in order but not that kind of comment.

Mr. Wright: In response to Senators Manning, O'Toole and Norris, I agree that the Committee on Procedure and Privilege should meet regarding the Seanad's involvement in committees. Regarding the point made by Senator McGennis one of the topical debates in the near future will be related to the issue of drug abuse. On Senator Quinn's point, we will be sitting on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday next week to deal with Bills on social welfare, unfair dismissals, gas, and social welfare again on Committee Stage.

[788] Order of Business agreed to.

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