Brexit committee extension
Ó Donnghaile pressed the future of Brexit again, and the Leader said the Brexit committee would meet and he would try to bring Ministers before the House. The exchange ended with discussion of the Justice Bill and Craughwell’s unsuccessful attempt to frame the business as amended.
The issue is the future of Brexit.
Comment on this
I will come to the issue of the future of Brexit. After the Order of Business, the Seanad Committee on Procedure and Privileges will meet to discuss an extension of the Brexit committee. Although it may not be possible, I will endeavour to have the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Coveney, and the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, come to the House on Brexit tomorrow or on Thursday. The issue is one of availability. All Senators recognise that a no-deal Brexit is not a good scenario and I know that the Tánaiste is doing everything he can for it to be avoided.
Senator Bacik raised the issue of the portrait gifted to the Speaker of the House of Commons. It is a matter that can be taken up by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. We can use it to raise this issue.
It seems that the Department of Justice and Equality is dealing with a significant amount of legislation in the House. I do not know why that is so, but I assure the Senator that we certainly do not endeavour to deal only with legislation brought forward by that Department.
Comment on this
I ask the Leader to confirm that it is becoming a tradition.
Comment on this
That seems to be the case. As the Senator generously recognised, that is outside my control.
Comment on this
We have been very generous to the Department of Justice and Equality through the past year.
Comment on this
Senator McDowell has certainly given it lots of time. I am not sure that the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, would use the same turn of phrase as did the Senator. We look forward to the conclusion of the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill tomorrow in accordance with the Senator's comments in the House last week.
Comment on this
The conclusion of Committee Stage of the Bill.
Comment on this
The conclusion of Committee Stage, exactly. I will not be accepting the amendment proposed by Senator Craughwell to the Order of Business.