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Seanad
‹ Order of Business

Order of Business

Summary

The Leader outlines the day’s scheduled business, while Senator O’Brien seeks clarification on moving a non-Government motion forward.

It is proposed to take No. 1, Consumer Protection (Regulation of Credit Servicing Firms) Bill 2015 - Second Stage, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and adjourned not later than 3 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes; No. 2, Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2015 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to be taken at 3 p.m. and adjourned not later than 5 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes; and No. 67, Private Members' business, non-Government motion No. 18 re master plan for the city of Dublin, to be taken at 5 p.m. and conclude not later than 7 p.m.

Comment on this

I thank the Leader for outlining the business. I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 19 be taken before No. 1. Many colleagues across the House have discussed this issue. No one could agree that it is right or proper that a Government agency, Tusla, has cut funding for Rape Crisis Network Ireland and is seeking to introduce quite stringent changes regarding how rape crisis centres operate. According to what the rape crisis centres and Rape Crisis Network Ireland are stating, the agency is seeking to change the manner in which they do their job. All of us agree that the statistics are shocking. One in five girls and one in six boys in Ireland has been a victim of sexual abuse. In a modern society and republic where we care about our citizens, particularly the most vulnerable and those who have suffered from sexual abuse - the statistics do not lie - it is just wrong for a Government to stand over a decision to cut the funding of Rape Crisis Network Ireland. My motion, which I have signed on behalf of my group, along with colleagues in the Independent benches, whom I thank in this regard, will allow the Seanad to state it does not agree with the cut in funding for Rape Crisis Network Ireland. We should speak with one voice on this. I ask the Leader to amend the Order of Business to take No. 19 taken before No. 1 and to accept the motion. I will be pushing the matter to a vote. I ask the Leader to assert the independence of the Seanad as a democratically elected arm of the Oireachtas.

Comment on this
Paddy Burke An Cathaoirleach Fine Gael

On a point of clarification, is the Senator referring to No. 67, non-Government motion No. 19?

Comment on this