Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

May I ask the Leader about the Order of Business? I am shocked that he proposes to have all Stages of the two Bills to be taken today. The one I am dealing with is the Enforcement of Court Orders (Amendment) Bill. What are the standards in this House? We have supported the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in much of the legislation he is putting through the Houses, but we have sought adequate time to scrutinise it, make suggestions and table constructive amendments. The Minister and the Leader are treating this House with disdain and contempt. The Leader has defended the function and role of the Seanad, but he is now making the best case for abolishing the House. If we cannot fulfil our role of scrutinising legislation, we should not be here. I support the leader of my group in opposing the Order of Business. I ask the Leader to reflect on this and to reconsider hearing all Stages of what is a very important Bill, as it can lead to the imprisonment of people for non-payment of debt.

There have been calls for the Government to intervene in the electricians' strike. I think this is between the employers and the employees or between the employers' organisations and the unions. It is for them to sort this out and not for the Government to intervene. In my experience, where the Government has intervened in industrial relations, it has been at a price to the taxpayer, the public finances or the competitiveness of the economy. The employers and unions should sort this out and the normal industrial relations machinery of the State should come into play. The Government should stay away from this.