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Seanad
‹ Order of Business

Thursday suspension delay

Summary

The Cathaoirleach raised frustration at the Thursday suspension while the Lower House votes, saying it wastes 90 minutes and unfairly delays Seanad business.

Denis O'Donovan An Cathaoirleach Fianna Fáil

Before the Leader responds, I would like to point to an issue that troubles me a little. It is not the end of the world, but on Thursdays, because of an arrangement in the Lower House and the unavailability of Ministers, it is unsatisfactory that we are put on hold for an hour and a half in the middle of the day.

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You are right.

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Denis O'Donovan An Cathaoirleach Fianna Fáil

It is unfair on Senators, especially on a Thursday afternoon, when we lose an hour and a half purely because it does not suit the Lower House. It is wrong. I am not going to resolve the issue, but perhaps we might focus our minds on it because if we did something to discommode the other House, we would hear about it very quickly. That is just a personal view. Perhaps the Leader might reflect on it or talk to the Taoiseach.

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