Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move: "That Standing Orders for today's sitting be suspended."

I want to move a suspension of Standing Orders under Standing Order 159. A short time ago in the Dáil, the Taoiseach stated that in order for terms of reference to be adopted and a mandate to be given to the banking inquiry, the Government needed to have a majority on it and that the matter was now being considered by the Seanad. I call for a suspension of Standing Orders because this is a grave imposition on the Seanad by the Executive and is totally uncalled for. If any consideration is being given by the Seanad to giving the Government a majority, I as a Senator would like an explanation of it because I am not aware of it. I, therefore, formally propose under Standing Order 159 that the Cathaoirleach grant a suspension of Standing Orders so that we might discuss what the Taoiseach said in the Dáil and get clarity on what exactly the Taoiseach claims is happening in the Seanad in his determination to impose a Government majority against the democratic wishes of this Chamber.