Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

The Order of Business is Nos. 1 to 7, inclusive. No. 1 is a motion to bring forward some new e-democracy initiatives to strengthen the position of the Oireachtas at the centre of the political process. It will enable a pilot exercise to be introduced to make use of new technologies to open a dialogue with citizens and other interests. It will offer the public an opportunity to make its views known to Members on a particular draft Bill. This idea originated in this House but was pinched by the Lower House. The Minister concerned and the Members of both Houses will benefit from gathering views before a Bill is formally debated in the Houses. This will be taken without debate.

No. 2, motion to establish a joint committee on child protection, comprising Members of Seanad Éireann and Dáil Éireann to examine the issues of child protection arising from the recent Supreme Court decision in the CC case; No. 3, Institutes of Technology Bill 2006 — Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude at 12.30 p.m.; No. 4, the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006 — Committee and Remaining Stages to be taken at 12.30 p.m. and to conclude at 2.30 p.m.; No. 5, Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 — Report and Final Stages, to be taken at 3 p.m. and to conclude not later than 4 p.m.; No. 6, the Road Traffic Bill 2006 — Report and Final Stages to be taken at 4 p.m. and to conclude no later than 4.30 p.m.; No. 7, the Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006 — all Stages, to be taken at 5 p.m. and to conclude not later than 8 p.m., Second Stage to conclude not later than 6.30 p.m. with the contribution of spokespersons on Second Stage not to exceed 12 minutes and other Senators not to exceed eight minutes, the Minister to be called upon to reply not later than ten minutes before the conclusion of Second Stage. Committee and Remaining Stages to be taken on the conclusion of Second Stage. There will be a sos from 2.30 p.m. until 3 p.m. and from 4.30 p.m until 5 p.m.

I was taken aback when I first saw this week's schedule. It is due to the Opposition that we are able to break up this evening and not have to sit tomorrow. I thank the Opposition for its co-operation. It was helpful to my office. As the days advanced and the work became cumulative, working out the schedule was like a jigsaw.