I second the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator Marc MacSharry. I ask the Leader of the House, Senator Maurice Cummins, whether the House is sitting next Tuesday, 21 May. If not, has it been moved aside to facilitate a joint committee meeting?

The House has been informed of the arrangements by the Leader. It has been agreed to by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.

I do not think the Order of Business was-----

I have communicated with Senators on the matter.

I read the correspondence. It is outrageous that this House is not sitting on Tuesday to allow a joint committee to sit in the Chamber. It is the beginning of the end. It is an indication of the way this Chamber will be used in the future. I regret that people agreed to this decision in the first instance. This House should not be used for a joint committee meeting on a normal sitting day. It is okay on a Monday or a Friday.

It has been agreed to by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.

As someone who has been in this and the other House for a long time - I have served in the Oireachtas for almost as long as Senator David Norris - it is absolutely outrageous that this House will not sit next Tuesday.

The Senator is right.

This House is still in order and has not yet been removed from the Constitution. That will not happen until the people make their decision. If they decide to abolish the Seanad, we will have to vacate this Chamber. I do not see why we are vacating it next Tuesday to accommodate any joint committee dealing with any issue. I register my protest in this regard and absolutely resent what is being done.

The Leader of the House proposed some time ago that the Order of Business in this House would be covered live on television. Has any progress been made in that regard? The coverage given to the Seanad on "Oireachtas Report" is excellent. A very balanced approach is taken to all Members. Each side of the House is given due recognition when there is a report on the Order of Business or other business. While I have not timed it, I would definitely say the Seanad is not given the same percentage of coverage given to the Dáil. Given that both Houses are equal in the Oireachtas at this point, they should receive the same amount of coverage. As "Oireachtas Report" is broadcast so late at night - it is usually broadcast between 11 p.m. and 12.30 a.m. - I suggest it be rebroadcast the following morning also. According to figures released some time ago, approximately 60,000 people watch "Oireachtas Report", quite a high number. The point is that the public would have a better opportunity to view it if it were broadcast the following day also.