Seanad debates
Tuesday, 1 April 2014
Business of Seanad
5:15 pm
Feargal Quinn (Independent)
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On a point of order, the Order of Business today refers to Committee Stage of the Fines (Payment and Recovery) Bill 2013. I am now told we are planning to take Committee and Remaining Stages. Is that correct? This certainly is not on the Order Paper.
Martin Conway (Fine Gael)
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My understanding is that the Leader proposed on the Order of Business this morning that we take Committee and Remaining Stages.
Feargal Quinn (Independent)
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That is a change from what is on the Order Paper. I did not realise that.
Martin Conway (Fine Gael)
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I stand to be corrected. Perhaps a direction from the Chair is required. I believe that if the Leader makes a proposal on the Order of Business, it supersedes what is on the Order Paper. Is that the case?
Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)
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By agreement of the House.
Feargal Quinn (Independent)
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I accept that; I misread it.
Sean Barrett (Independent)
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There is an item that we are not taking tomorrow. The Order of Business for tomorrow had to be changed because amendments from the Department of Health on the smoking in cars legislation are not ready. Therefore, we do have a slot if there is willingness on the Government side to take Report Stage of the fines legislation tomorrow. This would allow us to consider these matters overnight rather than have the House suspend. This is a possibility and I leave it to the judgment of the Cathaoirleach and the Leader. At least, we have the option of using the slot.
Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)
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I understand the House has ordered that all Stages be taken today.
Feargal Quinn (Independent)
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I accept that; the point I made was that I did not realise it. It was not on the Order Paper. I missed the statement that all Stages would be taken today. Senator Barrett has outlined an option. I would like these matters debated today and to give the Minister a chance to consider them overnight. Perhaps Remaining Stages could be dealt with tomorrow.
Jillian van Turnhout (Independent)
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On a point of order, perhaps we could ask the Leader to consider changing the order before we conclude Committee Stage. There are two points to which we said we would return on Report Stage. Perhaps there is a reason for postponement. I ask that a call be made to the Leader to consider taking Report Stage tomorrow or on another date on which the Minister will be available.
Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)
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I will check that with the Office of the Cathaoirleach.