Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

The Order of Business today is No. 1, motion re the Competition Act 2002, to be taken without debate.

I wish to make a statement on two other matters. The Seanad is scheduled to meet today, but a joint committee, of which five Senators are members, is scheduled to meet the same time. The Leaders of the various groups met this morning and those who could not attend were contacted by telephone. It would not be proper procedure if members of the committee were prevented from attending the meeting because they were obliged to be present in the House and vice versa. The five Members to whom I refer – Senators O'Toole, McDowell, Higgins, White and Mansergh – have been prominent in the debate during the past couple of days. I propose, therefore, that the Seanad meet next Thursday at 10.30 a.m. to take Report and Final Stages of the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill.