Senator Bacik calls for Debate on the Orderly Running of the Seanad
Order of Business
Senator Ivana Bacik: I have heard what you have said, a Chathaoirligh, and I do not want to get involved in the battle of the Whips but I do wish to ask the Leader for a debate on the ordering of Seanad business because, as Senator Alex White said, the issue of confidence is topical today. It is fair to say that we have all lost confidence in the orderly running of Seanad business with the unexpected rising of the Seanad last week. As an ordinary Member of the Seanad, I did not know we were rising last week until the Thursday morning before the week we were off. It was most unfortunate that the week coincided with the golfing trip. That is the second time since I…
{Interruptions}
…Unfortunately, this is the second time that the Seanad’s unexpected failure to sit in a particular period has coincided with a golfing trip. It is unfortunate when it happens once but to lose two sessions of the Seanad due to golf is more than unfortunate, it is careless.
I called previously for a debate on the orderly running of Seanad business. It makes it much easier and more efficient for all of us if we can know in advance when the Seanad is likely to be sitting. I have no objection to sitting for longer days and sessions. If we have legislation to deal with it is all the better that we should get through it in an orderly and efficient fashion, but what I object to is the chaotic ordering of Seanad business and the unexpected rising of the House on dates when important things were happening and we should have been sitting.
On that note, I echo the welcome extended by other colleagues to the publication last week of the banking reports, which we are debating today. In particular, I welcome their finding that the banking crisis was home made.
I also seek a debate on the recent, excellent report authored by Senator Fidelma Healy Eames on early school leaving. At a time when we are squandering billions of euro propping up zombie banks, we should consider spending more resources on ensuring an end to early school leaving and a solution to the intractable difficulty of adult literacy — school leavers leaving school early with literacy issues. The Labour Party is running a right-to-read campaign.