I move the adjournment of the Dáil until 12 o'clock to-morrow. I had hoped, in addition to the items on the Orders of the Day for to-morrow, to take the Appropriation Bill.
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE. - ADJOURNMENT OF DAIL—ORDER OF BUSINESS.
It was with a view to having the Appropriation Bill introduced to-morrow that it was suggested that the report of the Estimates be taken to-day.
I have had representations from many parts of the Dáil that there ought to be no unreasonable delay in winding up the session. I was under the impression that it would be possible for us to finish the Business of the Dáil to-morrow, and that the meeting on Wednesday would have relation only to the elections to the Seanad.
took the Chair.
I mention that so that the Dáil will know what is the wish of the Executive Council in the matter—that we desire to meet the representations that have been made for an early adjournment.
Will the President say what business still remains to be done before the adjournment?
The Appropriation Bill and the items on the Orders of the Day for to-morrow.
And Tuesday and Wednesday next.
I do not think there is anything down for Tuesday and Wednesday except Deputy Johnson's motion and the elections for the Seanad panel.
And the Second Stage of the Electricity Supply Bill.
Could the President say whether the Minister for Local Government and Public Health will indicate the road policy of the Department, which was promised before the adjournment?
Either to-morrow or Wednesday.
We will get it any way?
I understand the Minister has undertaken to give it.
On Wednesday I should say.
There will be a First Reading to-morrow or Wednesday of the Owenmore Drainage Bill, and I ask for consideration for the introduction of a Statistical Bill on Wednesday. I do not anticipate being in a position to have that in the hands of Deputies, as the Second Reading would not be taken until the 3rd November. I would ask for permission to-morrow to move that the Order for the Adaptation of Charters Bill fixed for the 10th November be discharged, and that Committee Stage be taken on the 3rd November.
Are we to understand that the reassembly will be about that date?
Yes, on the 3rd November.
Could the President give any idea as to when the promised amending Bill to the Military Pensions Act will be introduced?
I am not in a position to promise that.
Are we to understand that the business on Wednesday will be to deal with the voting for the Seanad and the remaining stages of the Appropriation Bill?
I hope to have all the stages of the Appropriation Bill taken to-morrow.
I think that is impossible. I think the Ceann Comhairle will point that out. There is a motion of which I have given notice. It was put down because of the promise given by the Minister that an opportunity would be provided to the Dáil at his volition to discuss and consider the report of the Committee of Public Accounts before the adjournment. It is a matter of great importance that the Dáil should be given an opportunity of discussing the reports of its Committees, and unless Wednesday is given up for the purpose of that discussion and the remaining stages of any Bill required to be passed, then the promises that have been made are broken.
I think it would be necessary for us to meet on Tuesday. It is, I submit, in all fairness, while promises were made to have a discussion, unreasonable to expect the Dáil to do so now, tired as it is after a considerable number of continuous meetings and long sittings. I do not know whether I am expressing the views of the majority of the Deputies, but I think if we got the real truth, the admitted facts of the case would be that they are not in a position to discuss a matter such as that now. We are faced always at the beginning of a session with insufficient business. I anticipate when we resume in November that, in addition to the Bills that are down for Second Reading and for Committee Stage, as well as the Vote for the Minister for Education, this particular discussion on the Public Accounts could best take place. I think it will be admitted that one party in the Dáil has attended under very great personal losses during the last few weeks—the Farmers' Party. They have had the very fine weather they were waiting for for a number of years, but have not been able to take full advantage of it. I think Deputies generally have undergone a very considerable strain. Will the best discussion that could take place on these Accounts take place under such circumstances? I do not think it will. There are cases when promises may not be fulfilled or may be delayed. It is better to delay and fulfil them properly than fulfil them indifferently.
The President seems to misunderstand the position. The Committee of Public Accounts made certain recommendations, and it is essential for the proper carrying out of the work of the Department of Finance and the Committee of Public Accounts itself that the Dáil must decide upon these recommendations. The work of the Committee of Public Accounts is either of value or of no value. If it is of no value it should be erased entirely from our Standing Orders and Procedure. If it is of any value and importance it is then necessary that it should be discussed. Of course the report was delayed for a long time, partly due to the inexperience of the Committee itself, partly due to the complicated nature of the accounts, and partly due to the lateness of the time when the accounts were originally presented. The reports were delayed, undoubtedly, but they have been in the hands of Deputies, the last one, I think, since April. It is not unreasonable that a day or part of a day should be allocated to discuss them and have a decision taken on the recommendations made before the Dáil adjourns, considering that the adjournment is until November. If those decisions are not taken, then I submit that the work of the Committee of Public Accounts is of no effect, is of no value, and it would be better to dissolve it.
I am prepared to take Deputy Johnson's motion, of which he has given notice for Wednesday, on Tuesday.
I think we had better take all the orders made for Wednesday on Tuesday.
Very good.
On the understanding that we have the adjournment on Tuesday and leave Wednesday for the elections for the Seanad panel.
Yes.
The Dáil adjourned at 6.35 p.m. until July 3rd.