I beg to give notice: "To draw attention, as a matter of urgent public importance, to the decision of an External Minister prejudging the issue in a matter which another External Minister had referred to a Commission of Inquiry consisting of members of the Oireachtas; and in the interests of maintaining confidence in the policy of appointing such Commission of Inquiry, to request the Executive Council not to ratify that decision."
COMMISSION OF INQUIRY.
The Deputy, I take it, claims to raise this as a matter of urgent public importance, and that we shall suspend the Orders of the Day at 7 o'clock. The matter is important, but is it so urgent that a notice of motion could not be given so that it could be discussed next Tuesday? Would that cause what you might call public injury?
The only urgency is dependent on the decision of the Executive Council. It is obvious that if the decision of the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, to do what he has announced it is his intention to do, is ratified, then the Commission set up by the Minister for Local Government has a large part of its function nullified.
Has a decision been reached by the Executive Council?
A decision has been reached by the Executive Council, and communicated to the Post Office.
If a decision has been reached, the question of urgency falls; but an opportunity might be given by the President to allow the matter to be discussed.
Would it be within my power to do that at seven o'clock?
Certainly; the President can agree to allow time at seven o'clock, or at any other hour he pleases, because the business is of importance.
I propose, then, to give permission to have this matter discussed at that hour. Would one hour be sufficient?
I am quite satisfied.
Would it be convenient to move the adjournment at half-past seven?
It would. The matter of which Deputy P.Hogan has given notice could then come on at half-past eight.
The Dáil agreed.