Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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I have received a request signed by 30 Senators to summon a meeting of the Seanad for the specific purpose of discussing a motion on the programme for Government and the Mental Health (Involuntary Procedures) (Amendment) Bill 2008. The request complied with Standing Orders and I accordingly summoned this meeting.

In accordance with the procedures which have brought the House here today there are only two items of business before the House — the motion and the Bill on the Order Paper. There is, therefore, no Order of Business.

To assist in the orderly conduct of business, I ask the Leader to propose the speaking times on the motion and the time it is intended to take the Bill.

David Norris (Independent)
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I understand completely the technical reasons there is no Order of Business today because the business has already been ordered and, naturally, I must accept this. However, I regret the fact that we do not have an Order of Business and I think most of my colleagues will also regret this fact.

I attempted to submit an important matter for the Adjournment of the House and there does not seem to me to be any necessity to curtail the wish of Members to have matters discussed on the Adjournment because we will certainly have to adjourn Seanad Éireann and I wonder why this view has been taken officially.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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I am acting in accordance with precedents set.

David Norris (Independent)
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Will the Cathaoirleach quote the precedents for me, either perhaps now or in writing?

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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I have ruled——

David Norris (Independent)
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I am not aware of any precedent.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Norris, I have ruled on that and I speak with that ruling.

David Norris (Independent)
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I do not believe there is a precedent.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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There is no Order of Business.

Ivor Callely (Independent)
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On a point of order.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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What is the point of order?

Ivor Callely (Independent)
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I have been communicating with the Cathaoirleach since 9 March. I would like to make a personal explanation to the House. I believe it is within the Cathaoirleach's remit——

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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I have replied to the Senator's letter and he should have received it by post today.

Ivor Callely (Independent)
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I believe it is within the Cathaoirleach's remit. If he cannot accommodate me today, perhaps he can do so another day when the House is sitting.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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I cannot accommodate the Senator. I do not order the business for this House as to when it will sit again.

Ivor Callely (Independent)
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Can I presume——

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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No, Senator, please.

Ivor Callely (Independent)
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——that if my colleagues give permission for me to make a personal explanation the Cathaoirleach will accommodate that request?

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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I am not in a position to say. I cannot order the business of the House and nor do I order it.

Ivor Callely (Independent)
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But if my colleagues agree to it, will you accommodate it?

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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I call the Leader.

Ivor Callely (Independent)
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When I ask the Cathaoirleach a question I do not ask the Clerk a question.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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I have replied to the Senator and I have replied in writing on a number of occasions over the past few days.

Ivor Callely (Independent)
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I have been writing to the Cathaoirleach since 9 March and he has not been communicating with me.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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I have replied promptly on all occasions. I call the Leader.

Ivor Callely (Independent)
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That is not so. I asked the Cathaoirleach a question.

David Norris (Independent)
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I ask the Cathaoirleach to remind the House of the long-standing tradition that the staff of this House who are held in great respect are not abused by Members. It is beyond the capacity of this House and it is completely wrong to do so.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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Yes.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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What are the arrangements for speaking times on the Bill?

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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Was there some question of a motion coming before the House regarding a justice matter that had to be proposed or will this be dealt with at a later stage?

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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I have not received any notice as yet.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Cathaoirleach.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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No. I am not taking anything else. I have outlined what the Order of Business is for today.