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Seanad
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Taoiseach's speaking time

Summary

Senator McDowell objected to the limited time available for the Taoiseach’s visit, and the Acting Leader said the schedule could not be extended but another opportunity would be sought. She added that Senators should be more succinct and less repetitive.

We could have a debate all day on that. Senator McDowell asked about the time allocated for the Taoiseach's address on Thursday. That has been a long-standing arrangement and the Taoiseach's diary is arranged well in advance. I can understand why Senators might like to make a contribution but the Leader's office has been in touch and it is not possible to have an extension to the meeting on Thursday. We will seek another opportunity to interact with the Taoiseach in early course and whenever he can make himself available.

Comment on this

Perhaps Government Senators could desist from speaking, leaving time for others.

Comment on this
Denis O'Donovan An Cathaoirleach Fianna Fáil

Please allow the Acting Leader to respond.

Comment on this

Perhaps Senators could talk to one another about how to get succinct questions across. As Senator Boyhan pointed out, the Taoiseach is a very listening person and if people do not make lots of statements and avoid repetition, it could be possible to get more time. I have the impression that we generally want to say what we have to say here. The Taoiseach could come back to us if he does not have enough time, as Ministers do on a regular basis. It is not possible to extend the time on Thursday but I imagine it will be quite adequate to get through a good number of issues.

The point on the Judicial Council Bill was well made. There will be an opportunity to speak to the boss man about Seanad reform on Thursday.

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