It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 1, 2, 6, 8 (Votes 49, 55 and 56). Questions will be taken at 3 p.m.
Order of Business.
I do not know whether the situation will arise or not, but I understand the Minister for Agriculture is receiving a deputation is today and that that deputation is accompanied by all the Munster Deputies from both sides of the House. If that is so, it would be rather difficult to carry on the debate on the Agriculture Estimate in their absence. In the event of the debate not being concluded by 3 o'clock, which is likely, might it not be wiser to adjourn after Questions?
Perhaps a better alternative would be to take the Agriculture Estimate until 3 p.m. and take Posts and Telegraphs for the rest of the afternoon. The Minister for Defence will be taking that Estimate. Is that arrangement not satisfactory?
I suggest that Estimate might be left over.
All right. We adjourn after Questions if the circumstances to which Deputy Sweetman referred arise.
My information is correct, is it not?
Yes.
Do I take it the House is likely to adjourn after Question Time?
If a certain contingency arises, I understand that is the agreement.
In that case, may I ask permission now to raise on the adjournment today, whenever that may be, the question of whether the Taoiseach proposes to resign his post as controlling director of three newspapers in case he happens to win the Presidential Election?
I shall communicate with the Deputy in the course of the afternoon.