I move: "That the Dáil sit later than 9 p.m. this evening, and that the Order of the Day for the adjournment be taken not later than 10.30 p.m."
PUBLIC BUSINESS. - HOURS OF SITTING.
Ordered: That consideration of the Intoxicating Liquor Bill, 1927, be not interrupted to-day at the time fixed for taking business of Private Deputies.— (The President.)
I want to protest against this treatment of the Dáil—the discourteous treatment that the President so frequently metes out to the Dáil in the matter of the time-table. Had he given notice last night that it was his intention to move that the sitting be extended, Deputies would have known exactly where they stood, but when we come here at 3 o'clock we are told we are to sit until 10.30, instead of the usual hour of adjournment— 8.30. At the very least, it is discourteous to the Dáil, and there is absolutely no necessity for it. We have had only a couple of hours discussion on the Committee Stage of the Intoxicating Liquor Bill; there is no sign whatever, as far as I can see, of any undue delay in the consideration of Bills, and treatment of this kind, to my mind, signifies a disregard of the convenience of Deputies. I think it is treatment that ought to be protested against by the Dáil as a whole.
I want to support Deputy Johnson's protest. Somehow I felt a couple of weeks ago, when I came to Dublin, to find that the Dáil had adjourned the day before, that we would be up against a proposition of this kind. I do not think there is any justification for the business of the Dáil being conducted in this manner. I do not think it is fair to expect Deputies to come here at 3 o'clock and to remain until 10.30. I do not know what the view of the Ministry is that demands that we should put in so much work at this stage, particularly in view of the fact that we were brought here on one occasion to do one day's business and then go back again, and on another occasion we were brought here to do two days' business. I strongly support the view of Deputy Johnson, that the Dáil should not agree to this suggestion.
I wish to support Deputy Johnson on one specific point, that a motion of this kind ought not to be made without notice. I ought to attend a meeting of a local authority this evening. I assumed when I saw Deputy Connor Hogan's motion on the Paper that I should be able to do so. Had I known that I was not going to be able to do so, I would have written to the Town Clerk expressing my views on the various matters that are to come before that meeting. As it is, I have not an opportunity of doing so. I think it is unfair to put forward a motion of this kind without notice, and if Deputy Johnson divides the House I shall certainly vote with him.
I have no objection to sitting here until half-past ten o'clock, but, like Deputy Johnson and Deputy Cooper, I have made arrangements to attend another meeting at nine o'clock to-night. If I had got notice last night I would have been able to put off that. I would ask the President, therefore, in future to think of Deputies who may have other appointments, or rather I would ask you, sir, who are responsible for the regulation of business and of order, to ensure that notice is given at least the evening before to Deputies of any change in the hours of sitting, so that they may be able to make their arrangements accordingly.
I do not propose to press the matter if objection is taken. I ask leave to withdraw the motion.
Motion, by leave, withdrawn.