Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Minister is in the Dáil I propose that we suspend until 7.45 p.m. I apologise to Members.

Gerard Craughwell (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In view of there being a vote in the Dáil and there is another piece of legislation to be dealt with in the Lower House, I propose that we suspend until 8.15 p.m. I apologise to the Members who have been patiently waiting. To be fair to the Minister she thought she would be finished by now.

Gerard Craughwell (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

At 8.15 p.m.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Minister, to be fair, did think she would be finished

Michael McDowell (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Some of us have other commitments.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am in the Members' hands. Not all parties are here. It is an important debate to have and Members have requested it. The Minister is in the Lower House, there is a vote and, as the Senator knows, there is not a pair. The Minister also has to take another Bill. That is why we had factored in that time this evening, having spoken to the different-----

Michael McDowell (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We were not supposed to be here until 8.15 p.m. either.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I accept that, but I am conscious that not all Members of the House are here in terms of all parties being represented, and we have not had a discussion-----

Michael McDowell (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Anyone who intended speaking is here.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

That is true.

Aidan Davitt (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In fairness, we resumed at 7.45 p.m., which was the agreement. It is 7.46 p.m. now. I agree with Senator McDowell. The problem we have is that the Minister might not be ready until 8.30 p.m. or 8.45 p.m., and where are we going at that stage?

Michael McDowell (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In fairness, if the Minister is conducting legislation in the other House, she cannot be under massive pressure to run out of the place as soon as she can. Statements can be made at a later stage.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am willing to co-operate with the Members. I am here and am prepared to stay here, but I appreciate that Members have other commitments too. I apologise to the Members of the House for the change in time. It was after liaising with the Department and the Minister's office that we had reached the original time, but I am happy to adjourn or to suspend until 8.15 p.m., and if the Minister is not here then, we can finish for the day. I am in the Members' hands. I do not want to be seen-----

Aidan Davitt (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I agree with Senator McDowell.

Gerard Craughwell (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We cannot make the Minister come here when she is tied up elsewhere, so I am looking for an alternative proposal.

Michael McDowell (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I suggest that the Leader moves the adjournment of the House until next Tuesday.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is not next Tuesday, it is 13 June. I am happy to do so if all Members are. For the benefit of Senator Conway-Walsh who was not here earlier, the Minister is tied up in the Lower House with a vote on legislation and then has another Bill to take. The time in the Lower House has slipped from what we envisaged when scheduling this debate tonight. We were aware of there being two Bills in the Lower House but things have slipped in terms of time. I am happy to adjourn the House but-----

Gerard Craughwell (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Is the Leader proposing that we not take No. 7 on the Order of Business for today?

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am conscious that Senator Conway-Walsh has come in late. I know that people wanted to have this debate because it was requested.

Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am agreeable to that provided there is time allowed for it on the first Tuesday we come back, 14 June, and that there be sufficient time for us to debate it because it is a serious topic.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am happy to do that but, similar to the Order of Business this morning, I cannot commit to the Minister's diary. I would be happy to put the issue on the schedule for that day. As the Senator will know, we had agreed to do that today. I am happy and willing to work with the Members to have the statements rescheduled to 14 June, subject to the Minister's diary commitments.

Gerard Craughwell (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Is that acceptable to the Members?

Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Provided that we are guaranteed that-----

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There is no guarantee. I cannot give a guarantee now.

Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

-----that it would be discussed at the earliest possible opportunity.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am happy to do that.

Aidan Davitt (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Leader can give a guarantee of that.

Gerard Craughwell (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Will the Leader move that we will not take this item of business?

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I move:

That, notwithstanding the order of the Seanad today, No. 7 not be taken today.

Gerard Craughwell (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

When is it proposed to sit again?

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

At 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 13 June next.