Order of Business
The Leader sets the day’s business, including the Climate Action Bill, the Public Services and Procurement Bill, and the Minerals Development Bill, and confirms the Seanad will not sit during Garda Anthony Golden’s funeral.
The Order of Business is No. 1, Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015 - Second Stage, to be taken at 1 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; and No. 2, Public Services and Procurement (Social Value) Bill 2015 - Committee and Remaining Stages. This is a Fianna Fáil slot and the party is proposing to take Committee and Remaining Stages of the Bill today. I am sure if we on this side of the House were proposing to take Committee and Remaining Stages of a Bill on the one day, there would be many objections.
Comment on this
If the Leader was to allow adequate time, there would be no problem.
Comment on this
I will accede to the request and hope Fianna Fáil Members, when I propose something similar, will not be jumping up and down about it.
Comment on this
The Bill will be taken at 4 p.m., with the debate to conclude not later than 6 p.m. The final item is No. 3, Minerals Development Bill 2015 - Report and Final Stages, to be taken at 6 p.m. and adjourned not later than 7 p.m., if not previously concluded.
Owing to the State funeral and as a mark of respect to the family and Garda colleagues of the late Garda Anthony Golden, the Seanad will not meet tomorrow.
Comment on this
I accept the Order of Business and note the Leader's comments on time. If Senators were given more time to discuss our Bill, we would have taken Report and Final Stages next week. I am sure the Leader chose not to accede to the request. As such, he is partly responsible for Committee and Remaining Stages being taken together. We had no choice in the matter.