As to the list of Estimates on the Paper, I do not know whether any agreement has been arrived at as to which of these Estimates is to be taken to-day. There was a proposal that some agreement, if possible, should be arrived at regarding the Estimates in general, but I do not know what Estimates are to be taken to-day.
SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATE: VOTE NO. 57 (RAILWAYS). - ORDER OF BUSINESS.
I put forward a proposal that Votes should be taken in the order in which they are down on the Paper, commencing with 56. I explained to the Committee which met the other evening that I was not a free agent with regard to the discussion of the Estimates by reason of the illness of two Ministers and the absence of a third, that I expected in consequence that I would get some accommodation, and that I had to approach the presentation of the Estimates from the point of view of the Ministers available to deal with them. Apart from the absence of the Ministers I have referred to, there have been other changes which necessitate a little more consideration in that direction. I understand that the Committee which met the other evening was to meet again to-morrow morning, when they will have had some experience of the way the work is done. I hope, in view of the absences to which I have referred and of the other changes that have taken place, that no unreasonable objection will be taken to the consideration of the Estimates we have down.
I am not approaching this matter from the point of view of objection, but let me ask whether the Department of Finance is to be taken before the Department of Industry and Commerce, or vice versa.
I propose to take the Department of Industry and Commerce first, and after that the Estimates from the Department of Finance in the order in which they are down. I had to ask Ministers to make themselves up in those Estimates at very short notice, and I am sure that the Dáil appreciates, in view of all the activities of the last couple of weeks, the fact that there was not so much time available for their consideration by the different Ministers as there would have been otherwise.
Has the President explained to the new Deputies—and of course there are more new than old— the unlimited facilities that are now available for criticism of expenditure and public administration?
Is the decision that Vote 56 shall be taken first?
Yes, and then in the order in which they appear on the Paper.
There seems to be a little mix-up. A few minutes ago we were told that the Supplementary Estimate regarding railways was to be taken at a date to be fixed later. We are now told that Railways may be taken this evening. The two cannot be dissociated.
This is a distinct sub-head, I think.
I think they can be very satisfactorily dissociated.
The Railways and the Supplementary Estimate for Railways?
I think so, in the circumstances.
It is always the procedure.
A smoke screen!
No.
Vote 57, for Railways, does not include, I gather, any grant for the Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway. The Supplementary Estimate will include a grant. There is, therefore, no difficulty.