Regina Doherty (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am sorry. With respect, Senator McDowell brought the matter up this morning at our weekly meeting of group leaders. The schedule for next week was given to people at that meeting today, which is only Thursday. The Order of Business only comes from and reflects the schedule given to the leaders of the groups on Thursdays. It is given to everybody 60 minutes before we come in, and there is little difference, if ever any difference, between the information I provide on Thursdays and what happens then in the following week. The information concerned, however, is given to every Member as early in the morning as it is possible for us to do so.

I cannot give Senator Boyhan a commitment that it will be provided 90 minutes beforehand. It is, though, given to everybody now an hour beforehand, and if anyone has a difference of opinion in respect of what is provided to the Senators on a Thursday and then what is later provided on the mornings of the following Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, then I would be happy to discuss that at the weekly meeting of the group leaders. We can only do what we can do, though. We work with the Seanad Office and all the Ministers to prepare an order every morning and we give that to all our Members within an hour before coming here. That is the best commitment that I can give. I am sorry.