Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I do not wish to make life difficult for the Acting Leader, but there are substantial issues we need to examine in terms of how we deal with the Order of Business. I will take them in reverse order. No. 2 is an issue that has been discussed at some length in this House and on that basis we knew it would work. Therefore, it is correct that it should be commended without debate and sent to committee. We debated and decided this as a House.

There was much discussion on No. 1 among groups during the previous session — I certainly mentioned it in passing to various people. The Order of Business in this House is far superior to that in the Dáil because it allows people make a contribution. Those who lose out by reducing the Order of Business to 30 minutes are generally Senators on the Government side of the House. I have no axe to grind on this matter. I ask the Acting Leader to defer a debate on No. 1 today. If he cannot do that will he accept an amendment that the time be set at 45 minutes rather than 30 minutes?

This is an issue that affects everybody here. The Order of Business may be the only opportunity that some Senators get to make a point. Our Order of Business allows real participation——