Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I will only be responding to colleagues who are still in the House or who have given me their apologies for leaving, in keeping with the Leader's policy. Tá a lán ceisteanna inniu. The first and perhaps most pressing issue, which was raised by Senators Darragh O'Brien, Diarmuid Wilson, Mary White and others, is that of the suspension of the House yesterday and the deferral of Private Members' business until next week. I absolutely share the view of all speakers who raised this issue on both sides of the House. As Senator Wilson said, it was unacceptable and deeply regrettable.

I am very concerned to make sure it will not happen again. I had already talked with Senator Coghlan about sending a letter to the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste expressing our concern in the strongest possible terms that this would not happen again and that we would always have a Minister available for Private Members' business. It was asked whether it is necessary to have a Minister present. It is necessary for Private Members' business. We had initiated reforms in this House. We had an excellent three and a half hour debate yesterday on the fiscal compact, with a large number of speakers from both sides, but with no Minister present. We can do that for other debates but certainly not in Private Members' time. It was unacceptable and I do not want to see it happen again.

I should say no blame at all attaches to the Seanad Leader's office, which made every effort to ensure a Minister would be here, which I know colleagues will appreciate. Clearly, it is more difficult when Ministers are away. This was a wide-ranging motion which covered a number of different areas of responsibility for Ministers. Article 28 of the Constitution makes clear that the constitutional duty of the Government is to the Dáil, although I do not say any of that by way of excusing what happened yesterday. I feel very concerned to ensure it will not happen again. I give a commitment to Members that that letter will be going out today to the Taoiseach and to the Tánaiste expressing our concern at what happened yesterday and at the lack of availability of Ministers. Members can take it the matter will be taken up.

On other issues, Senator Darragh O'Brien raised the issue of the Governor of the Central Bank yesterday. I said yesterday I would send a letter to the Taoiseach expressing the concern of the House at the delay in action on mortgage arrears, and that letter is in hand.