John Gilroy (Labour)

I will be brief. I fully support Senator Keane's contribution earlier. Indeed, in the two months I have been a Member of the House, it is the most common sense contribution I have heard. The Order of Business is unquestionably flawed and is often used as a platform for political posturing, unrealistic proposals and headline grabbing, all of which we have seen this morning. This is not what the Seanad is for, at least not in my understanding of the Seanad. The Order of Business is the procedure in this House that receives the most publicity and is consequently the most often seen by the general public, and we do ourselves no favours in our attempt to retain the credibility of the House when the three activities I have just mentioned take place. Some Senators clearly do not understand what the Order of Business is about, or maybe it is I who does not understand. This morning we have heard legislation being discussed and questions being put to a Minister who is not present. This is just terrible.