David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I second the amendment to the Order of Business. I hope the Leader accepts the amendment. If he is not in a position to do so he might at least pass on Senator Ó Clochartaigh's concerns to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and maybe arrange a meeting between the Senator and the Minister if possible because this is an important issue.

I do not often support Senator Leyden's statements on the Order of Business but today he raised an important issue about the use of this House. I do not believe that this Chamber should be used by other committees of the Oireachtas when we are due to sit. It is fair enough for organisations to use the House on Mondays and Fridays when we do not sit but to interfere with the workings of this House is unacceptable and disrespectful. It seems to be part of a growing trend over recent months of groups using this Chamber when we should be sitting. It is embarrassing. I ask the Leader to take on board the genuine concerns of those of us on this side of the House. Has there been any progress at the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, CPP, about inviting a trade union leader to address the House to mark the anniversary of the 1913 Lock-out? Has an invitation been issued? The last time I raised this I was told that it was discussed at the CPP. It is important to mark this centenary.