The business will be taken as on the Order Paper, items Nos. 7 to 15. In order to give the House an opportunity of discussing the recent trade agreement with Britain a Bill will be introduced this week confirming the Emergency Order made in consequence of the agreement. It is proposed to allot the whole of Wednesday next, if necessary, for a discussion of the Bill, but I hope the House will agree to take all Stages on that day.
Order of Business.
Can the Minister for Local Government fix a definite date for a discussion of the Committee Stage of the Labourers Bill?
I hope to have it discussed to-morrow.
Private Deputies' business will be taken as usual at 9 o'clock this evening.
Does the President consider one day sufficient for a discussion of the pact with Great Britain, which involves so much? It is not so much the pact itself I am referring to, but its implications.
We have had very many discussions of the matter already and I think one day should be sufficient.
The President may have had a lot of discussion with the British, but the Irish public want to know some of the details, and the reasons for the
The Deputy is not the Irish public.
Dr. Ryan
Have we not all heard the Deputy discuss it?
Not here. The country knows about it better than you do. You have sold the pass.
I take it that on Wednesday the Government will be prepared to consider giving a longer time for the debate, if that case is strongly made. At any rate, a decision can be come to at the appropriate time and we can make our fight for a longer time. I agree with Deputy Belton that the fullest opportunity should be given for debate. I want to object to Estimates which were circulated to-day being taken to-day, as indicated by the President, because when leave was given to introduce these Estimates the Minister for Finance said that they would be circulated before Saturday, in all probability. In fact, they were not circulated until this morning and, therefore, I suggest that discussion of them should be postponed.
The objection can be made when the time comes.
To all the Estimates or the Agriculture Estimate?
I am principally concerned with the Agriculture Estimate. I do not think we will object to taking the other Estimates. We have had notice of them, but the Agriculture Estimate was only circulated this morning.
I should like to ask if the President proposes to introduce the Confirmation of Order (Emergency Duties) Bill by making a statement on the situation.
No, not on the introduction.
Do I understand that the President is going to ask the House to discuss an arrangement made with the British Government without a statement being made from the Government Benches first?
The statement will be made in the usual way on the Second Reading.
Do I understand that the discussion on Wednesday will be on the Second Reading?
Yes.
Do I understand that there will be a Government statement made dealing with the situation on the opening of the discussion on the Second Reading?
The usual statement will be made on the Second Reading of the Bill.
Will the President make his usual statement and then, having heard everybody else, make his speech at the conclusion?
And the Deputy will make his usual speech.