Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re the recommendation of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges; No. 2, statements on the progress made in implementing the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008, to be taken after No. 1 until 1.30 p.m. with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed 15 minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed ten minutes and on which Members may share time; No. 3, Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill 2002 – Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to be taken at 2.30 p.m. and to conclude not later than 6 p.m., with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed 15 minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed ten minutes and on which Members may share time; and No. 13, motion No. 25, to be taken between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. There will be a sos between 1.30 p.m. and 2.30 p.m.

On a point of information, No. 1 is a motion to facilitate three debates in this House about the Convention on the Future of Europe. It will allow Deputy John Bruton, who is a member of the praesidium which is debating the future of Europe in the convention, to address the House and to answer questions. Mr. Proinsias De Rossa, MEP, will address the House between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Wednesday, 26 February, Deputy Dick Roche, Minister of State with special responsibility for European affairs, will attend a debate in the House on Tuesday, 4 March, between 3.15 p.m. and 5.15 p.m. and Deputy John Bruton will be here on Wednesday, 12 March, from 2.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. Mr. De Rossa and Deputy Roche are entitled under existing Standing Orders to address the House and a meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges yesterday agreed that Deputy John Bruton should also be allowed to do so. No. 1, a motion to that effect, will be moved after the Order of Business has been agreed.

I am sure the three debates will be interesting. They will represent the first opportunity for the Oireachtas to listen to the thoughts of the three men involved in this important process, as such discussions have not taken place in the other House.