Would it be possible for us to get some indication of when it is likely that the Minister will be able to get in on this Bill? As Senators are aware, we intend to complete consideration of at least two Bills tonight, and it would be an advantage if we could get an indication now of what time it is likely that the Minister will get an opportunity of replying.
Business of Seanad.
I think it would be partly governed by how long Senator Sheehy Skeffington will take. I believe there are only two more speakers from this side of the House, and the Minister should be able to get in about 9 o'clock, or perhaps even before that.
Then we will take the Health Authorities Bill, and will that be completed?
If you allow time for the Minister, is it the intention that we should conclude at the end of an hour and 40 minutes?
I think the Minister, if we agreed, should get in at 9 p.m. or just after. I do not think the Health Authorities Bill should take very long. How long will the Minister want to reply? That might be another way of solving the problem from another end.
I do not know-whatever time you give me. If you give me two hours, I shall reply to everything, if I get half an hour, I shall reply to only quarter of it.
Can we get agreement that the Minister will reply at 9 p.m.?
At 9 p.m. approximately.
Perhaps at this stage we could get some indication as to whether the House will be prepared to sit a little late to dispose of the second Bill.
I would be more disposed, if there is no prospect of finishing this Bill by 10 o'clock tonight, to sit tomorrow.
It would be nearly as well to finish up tonight.
It might be well to indicate now for the benefit of the Senators whether the House will sit after 10, if necessary.
We should certainly sit until half past 10 or 11 p.m. to complete the Second Stage of the Health Authorities Bill. That is the agreement, I understand—to complete this Bill and then the Second Stage of the other Bill. I do not think the pressure of time will be quite as tight as Senators seem to think.
Have we any indication of the number of speakers on the Health Bill?
I understand that only one person on this side gave any indication that he wanted to speak on it.
The House will agree to sit until 11 p.m. if necessary?
If we are to sit tomorrow, what does Senator Ó Maoláin propose as the hour?
10.30 a.m.
I take it from the discussion now that it is not intended to sit tomorrow. It is intended to dispose of business tonight and, if necessary, to sit until 11 o'clock to complete the business.
I take it then that we shall not sit tomorrow?
If we can have the Health Bill tonight, there is no need to sit tomorrow, but if we cannot, my suggestion is that we should sit tomorrow.
I understand that the House agrees to finish the two Bills?
Yes.