I move "That the Bill be now received for final consideration."
CENTRAL FUND BILL—FINAL STAGES.
Standing Orders suspended.
Bill put through Committee without amendment.
Before the question is put I would like to know if any undertaking was given affecting the problem that we have been discussing. We are giving away now an opportunity of keeping a little pressure on the Government but, if the Minister gives a date in the near future, I will be quite satisfied. I did not hear any date mentioned, and I do not want to be unreasonable, but if we give away this opportunity we may have some difficulty in raising the question later. Did the Minister give a date about the end of April?
I spoke about the Budget.
Will the date be given prior to the Budget?
What I did say was that the question had reached a point at which the Minister for Finance in his Budget statement would be able to deal with certain aspects of the situation. There are certain things rendered imperative by the approach of the Budget. When these decisions are taken certain other decisions pretty well immediately follow, and there is very little choice after that. The decision that will be taken with regard to the Budget will really master all the others. I did say this, and I want to insist on it, that there might have to be an announcement of a certain temporary arrangement until the policy, as finally decided, could be put into operation. I abide by what I said, that the 20th April will reveal the decision which will really guide the whole thing.
I took it, and the Dáil took it, that the Minister stated that at the end of April a definite statement will be made with regard to policy concerning trunk roads and the taxing of motors, whether on horse-power or fuel.
Obviously the last thing has to be decided.
I understood the Minister to say that he hoped on the 20th April to say if a definite scheme had been adopted for the roads.
Yes.
As the Minister for Industry and Commerce indicated we will certainly, if we do not announce the whole policy, be able to announce a substantial instalment of it.
Which guides the rest.
Really what we are interested in is if the Ministry can tell us on the 20th April when they will be in a position to start work. We are concerned for the unemployed.
I would not go as far as that. We do not want to be in the position of being called upon to vote money without knowing the policy to which that money is to be devoted. If we are made aware of that policy before we are called upon to vote the money I am satisfied.
I do not think I can add anything more to what I said. This matter has been the subject of very close and careful scrutiny during the past few months. We are close up against taking certain very definite decisions and we will have to take a final decision before the Budget. The announcement we will be able to make will be a substantial instalment regarding our complete transport policy. That announcement will give a clear indication. I do not say that we will have every aspect of the matter settled before that.
Question put and declared carried.
I move:—"That the Bill do now pass."
Question put and declared carried.
Bill certified by Ceann Comhairle as a Money Bill and ordered to be sent to the Seanad.