What time is it proposed to take private business?
ORDER OF BUSINESS.
I should say 9.30. I mentioned yesterday that there would only be the mover's speech, and I take it he would be able to complete that in half an hour. If not, I could move that the Dáil sit later, for another half hour. It was not proposed that the measure should be dealt with fully to-day.
Might I ask, is not the Town Tenants Bill to be taken this evening?
At 9.30.
Has the Minister put it forward as definite, that we should take the Bill at 9.30 and adjourn at 10, giving only half an hour for its consideration?
Yes, unless the Deputy concerned tells me he would require a longer period, when I would move to sit later.
Other Deputies might desire to speak on this Bill.
I am prepared to meet Deputies.
Is it not the idea that the Deputy in charge of the Bill would make his speech and the debate would then be adjourned?
If other Deputies desire to take part I would have to move that the Dáil sit later than 10 o'clock.
Is it probable that the Deputy in charge of the Bill will be able to complete his speech in half an hour on such a long and complicated measure as this is?
I suggest that as we have Standing Orders the Dáil should follow the usual course with regard to private members' time. As we met at 5 o'clock instead of 3 o'clock, we should simply advance the time by two hours, and take the regular time for private members' business.
In that case I propose to take until 9.30 for Government business, and that the Dáil should sit later.
It is rather awkward that the Deputy who is in charge of the Bill is not here. I do not know if anyone is aware if he will be here to-night or not.
It seems to me that the President is in this position. He is moving under Standing Order 74, which says, "Provided that a Minister may move after Questions Wednesday or Friday, that on that day specified Ministerial business shall not be interrupted if under consideration at the time fixed for taking up motions or Bills to be moved by private Teachtai. Such motions may be proposed without notice, and shall be decided without amendment." The President, I take it, is moving that consideration of the Railways Bill will not be interrupted, if we arrive at that particular item on the Order Paper, for the consideration of private business. The question of allowing private business to be taken at 9.30 is really one for arrangement, and does not require a motion.
I may mention, at the same time, that I would give a half hour during the sitting for that business. If that would not be sufficient, I would move that we sit later than 10 o'clock.
What is the use of half an hour for debate? It seems to me ridiculous. Would it not be better to take this Bill at 2 o'clock on Friday for the full two hours, if the President will undertake that he will not want any of the private members' time on that date? I think that would be a more satisfactory arrangement than dealing piecemeal with the Bill.
I am not a free agent. There is special business in connection with finance which I cannot closure, which I have not closured, and which I do not want to closure, that we ought to get within a given period. If that were out of the way I would be prepared to facilitate private business to the other extent; but only subject to that would I be in a position to do it.
What is the business—Finance Resolutions or Estimates?
Finance Resolutions. If that course were agreed to, I would take all the time to-day for Government business, and at 2 o'clock on Friday, if the Finance Resolutions were out of the way, take this Bill.
As three Deputies have their names to this Bill, and as none of them seem interested, I will say no more about it.
I think it would be better to adjourn it until next Wednesday, and have it definitely understood that the Bill will be taken then.
The President moves that the whole time to-day be devoted to Government business.
Question put and agreed to.
In order to have the matter perfectly correct, I move that the Dáil sit later than 8.30, until 10 o'clock.
Question put and agreed to.