Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

The Order of Business is No.1, a referral motion re motion 9 on the Order Paper. The motion concerns the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse which was established in May 2000 for a period of two years, and which was subsequently extended in December 2001 for a period of three years, until 23 May 2005. The chairperson of the commission wrote to the Minister seeking a further extension of the commission's term. This was agreed by the Government. The motion is to be taken without debate; No. 2, Registration of Deeds and Title Bill 2004 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to be taken on the conclusion of Order of Business and to conclude not later than 1.30 p.m.; spokespersons have 15 minutes each and all other Senators have ten minutes. The Minister is to be called upon to reply not later than ten minutes before the end of Second Stage.

With your permission, a Chathaoirligh, I wish to explain the arrangements for a Bill which will come before the House later today. The Dáil is today dealing with urgent legislation, the British-Irish Agreement (Amendment) Bill 2005. It is hoped that the Bill will have concluded in the Dáil by 3.30 p.m. The Seanad will then be required to deal with the Bill. It is therefore proposed that all Stages of the Bill be taken from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Spokespersons will have 15 minutes each and other Senators ten minutes. The Minister is to be called upon to reply not later than ten minutes before the conclusion of Second Stage.

The Bill is being presented by the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív. The Bill was placed in Senators' pigeon holes this morning. It is a narrow, technical measure, but I understand from what I have been told that it simply must go through the Oireachtas today. There will also be an earlier signature motion to which, if the Bill is passed, we will ask Members to agree. I assume the Bill will successfully pass through this House. There will be a sos from 1.30 p.m. until 4 p.m. to allow for the passage of the Bill through the Dáil. I understand people may wish to get away, but the Dáil will spend two hours on the Bill and it will then take another half hour before it is ready to come before the Seanad from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. There is no way out of the timetable.