I understand that the Committee on Procedure has suggested that the Dáil should meet early on Fridays, and adjourn some hours earlier also. If that be the opinion of the Dáil I am prepared, with the leave of the Dáil, to move that the meeting of the Dáil should take place at 12 o'clock on Friday and adjourn at 5 o'clock. It means we will lose half an hour, but in order to enable members to get home there is no real objection in giving a half hour. I have not seen the report of the Committee on Procedure, but it has been put to me by more than one Deputy that a decision somewhat on those lines was come to. I do not know exactly what hour they decided to fix for the meeting of the Dáil, whether it would be 10, 11, or 12 o'clock. I think 12 o'clock will be a suitable hour, and if there be no objection I would move that the meeting should take place at 12 o'clock on Fridays in the future, and that we adjourn at 5 o'clock.
COMMITTEE ON PROCEDURE. - EARLIER FRIDAY MEETINGS.
Five o'clock is too late for the country Deputies to catch their trains.
This is perhaps the most convenient time to get this matter settled, because if we do make a change in the hour of meeting on Fridays it would be well that the Deputies should have as much notice as possible of it. The Committee on Procedure discussed the question of an early meeting and early adjournment on Fridays. The Committee was unanimous, I think, in the idea that the meeting should take place earlier, and that the adjournment should be at 4 o'clock. I think that the view of the Committee was that an early adjournment is necessary, and that it cannot be later than 4.30, if members are to catch their trains. With regard to the time of the meeting in the morning they would leave that to the Ministers, as these would best know what the business would be.
Friday is one of the evenings that is reserved for private business.
The Committee were aware of that. Suggestions were made that the Standing Orders should be amended with regard to private business, and that the hours should be altered. Would Deputy McCarthy say whether 4 o'clock or 4.30 o'clock on Friday would be suitable?
Some of the trains go at 4.45 p.m.
The last train for Sligo leaves at 2.30. If we want to catch that train we cannot. We should approach the Directors to run a later train.
The President thinks that 12 o'clock is the earliest time to begin the business. Would 12 o'clock to 4 o'clock suit?
Yes, and we can adjourn at any time you suggest.
If an earlier hour than 4 o'clock is required we would find it difficult to meet the Western Deputies.
We could sit all night on Thursday.
Notice can be given now or to-morrow evening of the hour of meeting on Friday. Can we take it now that it will be arranged from 12 to 4 without an interval? Because if it is arranged I would like to circularise the Deputies who may not be here.
I have no opinion upon that subject. It should be left to the Deputies. If the Deputies desire they could meet at 11 o'clock and adjourn at 2 o'clock for luncheon, but it would be scarcely worth it, to come back for one hour. I think everything considered, sitting continuously from 12 to 4 would be the best arrangement.
Well, that is settled—12 to 4 without any interval. We will not amend the Standing Orders. We will arrange, for the time being, that the meeting on Friday will be at 12 noon, and will conclude at 4. In that event 4.30 would be the latest hour for a meeting of the Dáil and private members' business will come on at 2.
Yes, so that if they are not particularly interested we would be able to adjourn at 2.
At present private business comes on at 6, and that allows 2½ hours. Now, it will be reduced to 2 hours.
Order made:—That, until otherwise ordered, the Dáil assemble on Fridays at 12 noon, and adjourn at 4 p.m. Private business to be taken at 2 p.m.