I move that this Bill do now pass. I spoke to the President, who thinks that there would not be sufficient business to justify the Dáil in coming together to-morrow, and in view of that I ask that the Fifth Stage of this Bill be taken now so that there may be no delay in sending it to the Seanad.
ADDITIONAL ESTIMATE—VOTE 67. - EXPIRING LAWS BILL, 1926— FIFTH STAGE.
I do not know what the views of the Minister may be in regard to the work of the House, but we have been meeting for two days a week for the last two or three weeks since we resumed. I would have thought that even on the score of cost the Minister for Finance would have considered the question whether we ought to have this prospect of a week's work and then sudden decisions that we are going to adjourn for another three or four days. We are not told beforehand and no communications are made as to the course of business or what is expected between one side of the House and the other, but we are suddenly told on a Wednesday that we are going to adjourn until, presumably, Tuesday next, and this is repeated week after week. If only on the score of finance and the saving of railway charges incurred by the State one would have thought that some better management of the business of the House would be forthcoming. I would like to know if we are to have an opportunity and if a definite date will be fixed now for the discussion of the report circulated in reference to the Imperial Conference.
The matter has been deferred three different times. It was definitely agreed by the Minister and myself that it would be taken to-morrow. Yesterday the President told us that it was not fitting—I think he suggested because of the ill-health of the Minister for External Affairs. If that is the explanation, then, of course, we must accept it, but I have a feeling that there is really no good reason why we should adjourn leaving unfinished the Local Government Bill, which, I understood, was required to be passed, and also the discussion that Deputy Magennis was speaking about yesterday on the Financial Agreement White Paper. I would like to have a definite understanding when we are to have a statement from a Minister who can speak with authority upon the work of the Ministers at the Imperial Conference so that there may be a discussion on that.
The discussion on the Imperial Conference will take place this day week. The delay has been due to the fact that the Minister for External Affairs has been indisposed. But for that the discussion would have been taken before the date that is now fixed. It is not always possible to arrange business so that it will occupy a full week. Sometimes business that is expected to be controversial turns out not to be so controversial, and sometimes, to meet the wishes of the House, a Bill has to be withdrawn, as was the case with the Land Bill, which, if it had been gone on with, would have occupied quite a considerable amount of time in discussion, and would have prevented adjournments taking place. There certainly is no wish to bring the House up for two days rather than have a full week's business and get done with it, but things do not always pan out as is thought. No one can foresee very well the length of time that will be occupied in the discussion of any particular business.
May I ask what answer the Minister has made with regard to the White Paper on finance? He was inaudible on these benches.
That matter is to be taken on the adjournment this evening.
Question—"That the Bill do now pass"—put and agreed to.
Ordered: That a message be sent to the Seanad accordingly.
I move the adjournment until Wednesday, 15th December.