Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the time by which the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016 was ordered to adjourn has now been reached, or just about, the debate on that Bill will not now proceed and we will move directly to the Second Stage of the Free Education (Prohibition of Fees and Charges) Bill 2018.

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

That is not scheduled until 6 p.m. There are three minutes available.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Does the Leader wish to bring the Minister to the House now?

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

I do not but I want to make an announcement that will have an impact on the next item of business.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

That is why I was calling the Leader. Is he satisfied that we cannot now proceed, given the time?

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

To be fair, Senator Ó Ríordáin is not in the House.

Lynn Ruane (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Minister has been outside as well.

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

The Minister of State, Deputy Kyne, has also been waiting in the anteroom to speak on the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill. I want to apologise to him for that.

Rónán Mullen (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

He is a busy man.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Does the Leader wish to bring him in?

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

I do not want to bring him in for one minute. I want to inform the House that-----

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We could be in conflict with the Order of Business for the day.

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

The impact of what we did was that we are in conflict with what we should have been doing in any event.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The House made a decision.

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

I accept that. I was not going to propose anything -----

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Order, please.

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

I am starting to learn from Senator Mullen that the power of rhetoric is very important.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Senator should speak through the Chair.

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

As I outlined on the Order of Business, the Minister for Education and Skills is in the Dáil answering parliamentary questions and will not be available until at least 7 p.m. I am open to clarification on the time. That has implications for the Seanad's Private Members' business because there is no Minister of Minister of State available to take it.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We could proceed without the Minister.

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

I would not like to do that. I propose that we suspend until the Minister is available.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Until what time does the Leader propose to suspend proceedings?

Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I understand that there will be a Minister available very shortly to take the Private Members' business.

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

I received an email on my mobile phone as I was speaking. As I outlined earlier, the Minister for Education and Skills is not available. There is no Minister of State in the Department available now to take the Private Members' business.The Minister of State, Deputy Canney, is available to take the Private Members' business. When I was making my point earlier, he had not indicated his availability but he is available now.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In that case, we can proceed with the Private Members' business. Is that agreed? Agreed.