Seanad debates

Thursday, 13 March 2003

The process of terminating debate in the House needs to be clarified. I have not found anything in Standing Orders on terminating Committee Stage debate before it has concluded. I ask the Cathaoirleach to examine the matter. If the Government wants to terminate a debate, it should table a motion to that effect and allow Senators to vote on it. We must act according to Standing Orders. To vote on a motion from the Chair which essentially terminates Committee Stage debate, as we have done twice in the past two weeks, involves the Chair in an issue which should be determined by the House by way of a Government motion – in this case a closure motion. Otherwise, the House will be operating against the spirit and, I believe, letter of Standing Orders.

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