A Chathaoirligh, I am a patient person. We have waited 22 minutes for this debate to commence. I would like an indication whether a Minister will be present and if not, why not?
Business of Seanad.
The Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Mr. T. Kitt, is on his way and he will be here shortly. If he does not arrive, we will reschedule this debate.
The Minister will be here in ten minutes. I recommend that we sos until 6.30 p.m. and allow the debate to continue to 8.30 p.m.
This is intolerable. The Seanad is a sovereign House of Parliament. We may as well abolish the House if this type of thing is to happen. It shows contempt by the Government for a House of the Oireachtas to keep Members waiting on a whim for a Minister to decide whether to come here. What is this House about? The situation is contemptible.
I have called for a debate on this issue for months. Following on what Senator Dardis said, I cannot believe that on this occasion we find such disdain. The Minister has not turned up and we have been asked to delay another ten minutes. We should postpone this debate until another day.
I agree with my two colleagues. We have been patient, yet we have not been given any information. We have been treated with contempt and I will not move the motion as proposed. We waited 25 minutes without complaining, but we must withdraw at this stage.
Will the Leader of the House agree to reschedule the debate?
Subject to agreement between the Whips, we will reschedule the debate.
I accept this is not the fault of the Leader of the House who is probably embarrassed by what has happened. Could we have an explanation tomorrow morning?
Yes.
Is that agreed? Agreed. The Adjournment Matters will be taken at 8 p.m.
Sitting suspended at 6.25 p.m. and resumed at 8 p.m.
When is it proposed to sit again?
It is proposed to sit again at 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, 16 June 1994.