Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It has been brought to my attention that the proposed amendment to the Order of Business was sent to the office around lunchtime on Monday. The rules for motions such as the one proposed by Senator Devine are that four days notice must be given, which means it should have been submitted last Thursday. I was not asked to insert it and I have limited discretion. I have decided that I cannot allow the motion because of the abridged time. It has not been on the weekly Order Paper. The other reality is that probably two thirds of the Members are not aware of this, so I must rule against the Senator in that regard. I realise it is important to her but it is not of such urgency that one can decide otherwise. I try to be fair in facilitating Senators but the four days notice is a precedent that is long established for good reasons. It is not a case of it being an hour or two out, but two full days. It should have been submitted last Thursday before 11 a.m. With regret, I must rule against the proposed amendment.