I move:
That, in pursuance of Standing Order 69 of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, the Committee on Procedure and Privileges be appointed.
Appointment of Committee on Procedure and Privileges: Motion.
In relation to this item, when might it be possible to introduce the necessary orders of reference for the two other matters I raised last week — the Joint Committee on State-Sponsored Bodies and the EEC Committee, as well as any other committee involved?
Senator Robinson asked this question last week. The other committees of the House are Joint Committees with the Dáil. Therefore, it is considered that it is best to wait until the Dáil meets before bringing the motion before this House.
On that point, is there procedure which debars us from bringing such motions to this House first or are we obliged under the conventions of both Houses to wait until the Dáil has passed them?
It seems to be a practical matter. Is item No. 2 agreed?
I would willingly agree to it if I could get some clarification. I am still serving my apprenticeship in this House. I simply inquire, in support of my colleague, Senator Robinson, and in full support of the actions of the Leader of the House, and purely by way of eliciting information, whether we are debarred by convention or by Standing Orders from putting on the Order Paper of this House a motion to establish Joint Committees in advance of the Dáil? If we are so debarred we are prisoners of any such convention but if not is there not a good reason to move ahead of the other House? That is the spirit in which this House started.
I would suggest it would be very foolish for this House to go ahead and put down a motion in regard to a committee without consultation with the other House. There would be little profit in having a Seanad motion which said one thing and a Dáil motion which said another. To carry on in that way would not help the procedure of either House.
Why should the reverse be accepted?
I assure Senator Quinn that I will look very rapidly into the question of whether this House may or may not proceed. I have not that information to hand, but I will look into it immediately and inform the Senator.
Question put and agreed to.