Order of Business - 7th July 2009

Order of Business - 7th July 2009
Senator David Norris: I join colleagues in calling for a debate on the impact on the economy of the disastrous strike by electricians. It seems there is an outbreak of catastrophic idiocy on both sides and a complete lack of understanding of the serious situation the nation faces. It is almost as if warfare broke out on the Titanic between the sailors and the orchestra over possession of the lifeboats while passengers were left to drown. It is time for the Government to intervene in this deplorable situation in whatever positive way it can.
I agree with Senator Fitzgerald and others who complained about the ordering of business in this House. We never seem to know on which days we will meet, for what hours and what we will discuss.
Senator Donie Cassidy: That is very unfair.
Senator David Norris: With the greatest respect to the Leader's diplomatic skills, on which Senator Mullen discoursed so liberally, this uncertainty leaves us somewhat bemused. The attitude towards the allocation of time for some of the extremely serious legislation which we will debate this week and next amounts to mere window dressing. As I said last week, the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009 is probably unconstitutional and certainly infringes the human and civil rights of the general population. I applaud the Irish Council for Civil Liberties which has done us a great favour in the analysis it has provided, despite being the subject of general attack on the airwaves.
The way in which this important legislation is being dealt with is entirely unacceptable. It will be guillotined in the Dáil, which means amendments will not be reached and Government amendments will automatically be passed. We are wasting our breath debating it in this House next week because the Dáil will have risen by that stage. There is absolutely no possibility of any amendments we may table being accepted. Therefore, there is no point in being here for that debate. As such, I suggest that Opposition Members absent themselves and let the Government get on with it, which may render the Bill unconstitutional. I hope these benches will be empty next week to highlight this scandal.