Seanad debates

Thursday, 10 May 2012

1:00 am

Photo of Terry LeydenTerry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister. Before I call on Senator Denis O'Donovan, I wish to explain to the House that the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, at a meeting held on 27 April 2012, made the following decision:

The Seanad Committee on Procedure and Privileges, at its meetings today, agreed that the time allocation to a spokesperson in the Second Stage debate on a Bill should not be shared.

I call on Senator O'Donovan.

Photo of David NorrisDavid Norris (Independent)
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On a point of order, I protest in the strongest possible terms about that decision. It is a completely fraudulent exercise by the Government and goes against the principles of democracy. To show how utterly hollow and disgraceful it is, that very Government over there allowed the sharing of time and it used, as a pathetic skeleton of an excuse, the fact there were two Ministers in the Chair.

Photo of Terry LeydenTerry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Norris has a representative on the committee and he should refer his complaints to that Member.

Photo of David NorrisDavid Norris (Independent)
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I shall do so. I had received nothing on it until I got this notification on the day. It is 100% against the traditions of the House. I have served for 25 years here and I am the senior person. I am the father of this House.

Photo of Ivana BacikIvana Bacik (Independent)
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On a point of order, the decision was not one of the Government's.

Photo of Terry LeydenTerry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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Correct.

Photo of Ivana BacikIvana Bacik (Independent)
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It was a decision by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges of this House. If the Senator wishes to have it reviewed then by all means he should bring it back to the CPP and we will review it.

Photo of Terry LeydenTerry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Senator for her clarification. I call Senator Denis O'Donovan.

Photo of Denis O'DonovanDenis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I have no difficulty with sharing time.

Photo of Terry LeydenTerry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator is not allowed to share his time. That is it.

Photo of David NorrisDavid Norris (Independent)
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Sharing is the obvious thing to do.