Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Before I call on the Deputy Leader to announce today's Order of Business, I want to refer to an issue that is causing some discomfort for me regarding the way in which Commencement matters are submitted. Standing Orders technically provide that notice of Commencement matters be given in writing to the Cathaoirleach. That is not always practical, however, because sometimes when I am down in my home in west Cork, I do not have access to the Internet and so forth. However, the Seanad Office carries out the administrative work on Commencement matters on my behalf before submitting them to me for selection. I would be extremely grateful to all Senators if they would submit their matters to the Seanad Office where at least five administrative officers will be able to see them, log the time at which they submitted, etc. If there is anything of consequence arising, Senators can contact me and I will try my best to facilitate them but Commencement Matters are best submitted to the Seanad Office. If the matters are submitted to me alone, they may never get to the Seanad Office or they may be delayed. It is better to submit matters to the office. At approximately 12.10 p.m. or 12.15 p.m. each day, a member of the Seanad Office staff brings the eight or nine matters submitted for consideration to my attention and I try to select those for discussion as fairly as possible, giving priority to Senators who have not had a recent opportunity to raise matters on the commencement of the House.

That matter of housekeeping dealt with, I call on the Deputy Leader to outline the business of the day.