Order of Business - 18th October 2007

Order of Business – 18th October 2007
Senator David Norris: I call for a debate on the role of the Seanad. We are supposed to be a reflective, revising and reforming House, but we increasingly encounter inroads into our speaking time. It is important, for example, to review the format of the Order of Business. It is the most relevant and most widely covered aspect of our business, yet we wish to reduce the time allowed for it. I succeeded in having it extended by ten minutes during the term of the last Seanad. It should be extended even more. It is the means by which Members raise relevant issues and it represents the political cutting edge in this Chamber. We should play to our strengths.
The Cathaoirleach was decent in his undertaking that although he will apply the time regulations strictly, he will allow those Members who are excluded an opportunity to speak at the next opportunity. However, this will only lead to a waiting list. It will be like the situation in the hospitals, with people on trolleys in the anteroom waiting to come in. It is a nonsense.

An Cathaoirleach: I could take a strict line as Cathaoirleach and be abrupt with Members, but that is not what I want.

Senator Paul Coghlan: We know that.

An Cathaoirleach: Perhaps I might get more thanks if I did so. This is the second Chamber of the Houses of the Oireachtas, an important forum. I hope Members who make a contribution on the Order of Business will treat it as such.
There will be no problem in giving Members the opportunity to speak on the Order of Business over the two or three sitting days of the week. I will be fair in this regard. If push comes to shove, however, I will be obliged to cut Members short in their contribution and they may not be well disposed towards me for that reason.

Senator David Norris: I do not at all mean to impugn the Cathaoirleach, either his role or the manner in which he carries it out. However, it is a nonsense to restrict the Order of Business in the way it is being restricted. I accept that the Cathaoirleach is simply obeying the rules of the House. However, it is something we should review.

An Cathaoirleach: The Committee on Procedure and Privilege has agreed the time to be allocated for the Order of Business. My hands are tied.

Senator David Norris: That is my point. However, the Committee on Procedure and Privilege is capable of opening its little mind on this issue.

Senator Donie Cassidy: The Senator should speak to the leader of his group.

Senator David Norris: No. 4 on today's Order Paper is the Defamation Bill 2006, which is listed for Committee Stage. However, two thirds of Members are newly elected to this Seanad and thus have had no opportunity to contribute at the most important level of the debate on this Bill. That is not democracy. This contentious Bill should be reintroduced on Second Stage. We are all aware that the Privacy Bill 2006, which is No. 8 on the Order Paper, is either in suspended animation or dead on its feet. It is important that we address these matters in regard to legislation.
I support Senator O'Toole's comments on those prudent people who availed of the SSIA scheme to accumulate savings. It is grossly wrong that those savings should be taken into account in the means tests for various welfare benefits. Senator O'Toole and I, along with other Members, raised this issue when the savings scheme was introduced and received ministerial guarantees in this House that this would not happen.