Senator Bacik asks for Debate on Conduct of Business in the House

Order of Business

Wednesday, 7 December 2011

Senator Ivana Bacik: I call on the Leader for a debate in the new year on the way in which we conduct debate in the House. In recent weeks, especially on the Order of Business, there has been a great deal of barracking and heckling especially from the other side of the House.

…It is unfortunate because this undermines one of the strongest assets the Seanad has always had, that is, our tradition of courteous, respectful and dignified debate. Numerous Ministers from various parties, not only serving Ministers, have commented on that fact that in the past the Seanad has been a place where, especially in the case of legislation, there has been an opportunity for thoughtful and considered debate and the taking of amendments. It would be unfortunate to change that tradition through an overuse of heckling and barracking.

(Interruptions)

…There have been mornings on the Order of Business when I have been unable to finish a sentence and I am not the only person who has been hassled, barracked and heckled by the other side. It is something of which we should be aware.

… The Fianna Fáil Members opposite could learn a great deal from their colleague, Deputy Michael McGrath. I do not agree with what he says but I appreciate that he has a restrained style and that it is a more effective way of making his points in debate-----

(Interruptions)

-----than the sort of loud-mouthing we often have here and that we are hearing now from the Opposition.

(Interruptions)

… If I could finish my sentence, all of us welcome the genuine engagement, especially on “Prime Time” last night, between the Minister, Deputy Noonan, and Deputy Michael McGrath. In the course of a genuinely respectful exchange, the Minister, Deputy Noonan, made the point about the disability allowance.

(Interruptions)

All of us are keen to see a constructive debate through genuine engagement and changes made to ensure that young persons with disabilities are not disadvantaged unduly by the change to align different rates of disability and social welfare payments. This is an important point about respectful engagement in the House.

I compliment Senator Feargal Quinn who referred to the issue of central European time yesterday. This is something he has raised in the House in a courteous and respectful way for many years. I am pleased to report the justice committee is debating the issue. In the new year when we have finished our review in the justice committee I will put it to the Leader that we might debate in this House a move to central European time. This is likely to take place next year and will bring with it numerous benefits to us not only in terms of carbon emissions but in terms of the economy, tourism and other benefits.