Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Leader for outlining the business but we have a fundamental problem with the Order of Business, which must be addressed. There have been at least three and possibly four or five changes to the order in the past couple of days, the most recent change received half an hour or 40 minutes ago. That was to include statements on transport at 5.15 p.m., which I know was highlighted late last week but was removed from the Order Paper. I am sure the Leader will appreciate the difficulty we have as all spokespersons in the distinct groupings require time to prepare and see what business is being dealt with. I know it is early enough in the session but we cannot continue to have as many changes to the business as it is very difficult for any group to plan its business for spokespersons.

I am putting the Leader on notice of another point fundamental to the Order of Business. We will oppose the order most strenuously tomorrow and discuss the issue in more detail then. Committee and Remaining Stages of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011 was initially listed for Thursday, which is the correct time following Second Stage on Wednesday. The legislation is very important and my group on this side of the House supports it and many Members have called for the introduction of the Bill to give the Minister without Portfolio, Deputy Howlin, the requisite powers. However, Second Stage of the Bill is to conclude at 1.30 p.m. tomorrow and after the sos we are to go straight to consideration of Committee and Remaining Stages. There is a motion, without debate, on Thursday for earlier signature of the Bill. That is no way for the Government to treat this House. Proper debate is required on very important fundamental changes to the structures of Government and Departments. I was quite happy when I saw on the Order of Business last Friday that the Final Stage was put back to the Thursday. Who decided to move it forward to Wednesday, and to permit a one hour break, basically a sos, between Second Stage and Committee and Remaining Stages? That is not the way to deal with this important legislation. I would like answers to those questions. We will oppose the Order of Business today and tomorrow. Given that the Fianna Fáil Group is supportive of this legislation, as I believe most Members are, it should not be rushed through the House.

I wish to raise two other issues. Yesterday, the Minister for Education and Skills said he was unaware of the pay levels in the third level sector and the vast numbers of people earning six figure sums. Will the Leader bring to the attention of the Minister for Education and Skills a very extensive report conducted by the Committee of Public Accounts, of which I was a member in the last term of the previous Dáil, into third level remuneration and pensions and additional pension rights being given to lecturers and senior members of our third level colleges and institutions against the advice of the Department of Finance, given that the schemes come under the management of the National Treasury Management Agency and instructions were given not to increase the benefits or the liabilities of the schemes? I am surprised the Minister, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, said he was not aware of these details and of the remuneration and pensions issues.