Seanad debates

Wednesday, 9 October 2002

Sub-Committee of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges: Motion.

 

Debates on relevant issues of public importance generally arise on the Order of Business as a result of Senators having studied the headlines in the newspaper. That is not the best way to decide to the agenda for the day, but it is a great way of getting publicity, and, to an extent, we are in the business of getting that. Perhaps the statements and motions that are before the House periodically give us an opportunity to debate issues of public importance, but the Leader and the proposed sub-committee could productively examine a structured way of dealing with issues of national importance. I am not saying the headlines in the morning papers reflect the issues of national importance; often they may not bear any relevance to what is in the national interest but are designed to sell newspapers. Rather than react, we should act and lead in certain areas. That is a role we could usefully play.

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