Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 Mar 1927

Vol. 18 No. 19

ORDER OF BUSINESS.

The PRESIDENT

I move that the Dáil sit later than 9 p.m. this evening, and that the adjournment be taken not later than 10.30 p.m. I shall also move that the Dáil meet at 11 a.m. to-morrow and that the motion for the adjournment to-morrow be taken not later than 4 p.m.

The Order of Business to-day will be: Item No. 5 first, and after that Items 1 and 2. We propose to take the Minister's speech on the Second Stage of the Electricity (Supply Bill); at the conclusion of that statement to have the tea adjournment, and resume on Item No. 2. I suppose it is understood that we want the Central Fund Bill by to-morrow, and the Second Stage of the Electricity (Supply) Bill.

Ordered: That the Dáil sit later than 9 p.m. this evening and that the Order for the adjournment be taken not later than 10.30 p.m.

Resolved: That the Dáil meet to-morrow at 11 a.m., and that the Order for the adjournment be taken not later than 4 p.m.

Major COOPER

Would the President say whether it is the intention to take the Land Bill to-day or to-morrow?

The PRESIDENT

No.

Captain REDMOND

Can the President say whether it is intended to sit on Friday next?

The PRESIDENT

It is not. I am presuming, of course, that the business which I have indicated—all the stages of the Central Fund Bill and the Second Stage of the Electricity (Supply) Bill—is taken before the adjournment this week.

Mr. A. BYRNE

When will the debate on the Electricity (Supply) Bill be resumed?

The PRESIDENT

To-morrow.

Mr. DAVIN

On the last day, before the adjournment, we were promised a statement giving the figures available in connection with Item No. 2 on to-day's Order Paper—Supplementary Estimate for the Department of Agriculture. We have just been handed a statement which does not appear to contain very much information. I would like to know from the Minister for Lands and Agriculture whether it would be possible to have copies of the balance sheets of the two companies in question, which it is proposed to purchase, circulated for the information of Deputies? I notice that the Minister, in seeking to justify this Vote, gives the trading liabilities of the two companies, but I think the figures produced before us would not be sufficient to enable any Deputy to judge what are the actual liabilities of the companies involved in this transaction. Are we to understand that this is the only information that we will be able to get in addition to whatever the Minister may have to say in his statement this evening?

MINISTER for LANDS and AGRICULTURE (Mr. Hogan)

The Deputy has the statement, and there is also in the Dáil Office a copy of the agreement setting out as many figures as even the Deputy will go through. In addition to that there will be a very long statement from me. If the Deputy were to raise this point after hearing my statement he might find that it would be easier to deal with it.

Mr. DAVIN

Are we to understand that the figures are available in the Office for any Deputy who wishes to get them?

Mr. HOGAN

The Deputy has a copy of the statement that has been issued. In addition there is the provisional agreement between the Condensed Milk Company of Ireland and a nominee of the Department of Agriculture. As soon as that was printed I had it placed in the Dáil Office. That statement sets out a considerable amount of figures. In addition to that, these figures will be elucidated by my statement. By the time that the Deputy has digested all these figures he may have reason to change his mind on this.

Mr. MORRISSEY

Could the Minister say why copies of the provisional agreement were not circulated among the Deputies?

Mr. HOGAN

Because the printing of it was not finished in time. The printing of it was finished about two hours ago and it was not circulated. The agreement was printed, and left in the Dáil Office and it was my intention to announce that fact before making my opening statement.

Mr. DAVIN

Does the Minister not agree that it would have been more businesslike to have printed and circulated to Deputies copies of the agreement?

Mr. HOGAN

On the last occasion I was asked to circulate some simple figures. I pointed out it would be very difficult to circulate a simple statement that would be intelligible, and that I would be willing to make a statement to-day lasting an hour or an hour and a half. In addition it was urged that the agreement should be printed. It was printed, and I was able to get that agreement as far as the Dáil Office two hours ago. I do not see what more I could possibly have done.

Mr. DALY

Would the Minister arrange that those creameries throughout the South of Ireland will not be setting up shops?

Mr. HOGAN

Might not this discussion come on after my statement?

Mr. DALY

The Minister intended to quote Deputy Conlan who spoke the other day and said——

AN CEANN COMHAIRLE

The Deputy can quote him later.