I beg to give notice that I propose to take, after this measure to-morrow, unopposed private business. I presume that we will have dealt with all the amendments to this Bill (Electricity Bill) to-morrow. If it seems unlikely that we will be able to deal with all the amendments in the ordinary time, I propose to move that we shall not take the motion for the adjournment before midnight, in order to dispose of this. Bill.
ORDUITHE AN LAE. - BUSINESS OF THE DAIL.
There are 50 amendments to be disposed of. Allowing for six amendments an hour—and ten minutes for each amendment is not an excessive allowance——
It is for some of them.
For very few of them.
They are mostly drafting or consequential amendments. The majority of them are amendments promised on Committee Stage. They are in pursuance of undertakings given.
We might not be satisfied that the amendments are a fulfilment of the Minister's undertakings and we are entitled to point that out. If there are 50 amendments to be disposed of, does the President think that they can be fairly dealt with by sitting until midnight? What is going to happen if they are not dealt with by midnight? If there are some amendments standing over at midnight, what does the President propose to do? Does he propose to apply the closure? We should know that.
This matter will be discussed on the motion to sit late to-morrow and we should like to hear the President's reasons why there should be an extension of the sitting beyond 10.30 p.m.
The question will have to arise to-morrow.
The President, I think, would be well advised not to contemplate the moving of this motion to-morrow. If a better spirit were displayed all round, we might make as much progress as if the motion were moved.
I should like Deputies to remember that there are rights for the Government and for the majority party as well as for minorities. We have given the fullest rights to the minorities and we expect some right for the Government and for the majority party.