Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

I am not opposed to the Order of Business. Will the Leader indicate the reason the Government proposes the House should not sit on Thursday of this week? If one reads Standing Orders for the Seanad, it is clear that meetings of the House should take place on Wednesdays and Thursdays and other days at the discretion of the House. It is breaking precedent that the House should meet on Tuesday and Wednesday and not on Thursday. I propose that the Leader initiate discussions between the Whips of all groups to arrive at a situation where we would debate important issues on Thursdays. If the Government has no business to present to the House on Thursday, I propose that the Opposition do so. There are 14 separate items on the Order Paper from colleagues on all sides of the House. If the Government cannot utilise the time available on Thursday, I propose that the Opposition be given the opportunity to debate these matters.