I wish to anticipate any announcement that may be made about continuing the debate, and I want to get in in time to move the adjournment until to-morrow.
PUBLIC BUSINESS. - THE ADJOURNMENT.
I do not think we will be taking this motion to-morrow. I propose to take all the time to-morrow for Government Business.
I wish to make a personal explanation concerning a report issued by the Minister for Industry and Commerce, which I was stated to have misquoted in the course of my remarks in this debate. The report I quoted from was a typewritten copy of the document which is in the Library. A colleague of mine prepared the document, and was informed by the Librarian that it was issued on the 2nd July, 1927. In actual fact, no date appears on it. Since the Minister spoke I made inquiries at the Library, and I find that the document was published in 1925. As, however, it is the only report of that nature available, I think it makes little difference, and I do not think the Minister will pretend that the conditions existing in the areas reported on have changed in any way since it was issued.
The Minister for Industry and Commerce is not here. I think the point was that the Deputy quoted the conditions in Mayo for those in Louth.
The report from Mayo South is: "Less at present than at a similar period in last three or four years." For Mayo (presumably N. Mayo), "Distress not more marked than in previous years."
Mr. HOGAN
What is the report for Louth?
"At present, not extensive among agricultural workers. No actual distress has come under Inspector's notice."
Mr. HOGAN
Is not that what the Deputy quoted for Mayo? Was not that the Minister's point?
If I did, it was quite unintentional.
When Deputies go into the Library, their responsibility is to copy a document themselves, and not to rely on what they are told.
Will the President give some indication as to when this debate will be resumed?
I think on Wednesday.
In Private Deputies' time, next Wednesday?
I would suggest Private Deputies' time tomorrow. I quite admit that the President has been rather generous in giving so much Government time.
I will, if possible.
If it would meet the wishes of all parties, it would be better if the matter was disposed of to-morrow. It could be taken at 2 o'clock.
The suggestion I have for disposing of the matter is this: There is a motion and an amendment. Deputy Morrissey proposed the motion. Deputy Morrissey, therefore, has the right to conclude the debate on the motion. I think if the amendment were carried he would lose that right. But the way to conclude it, it seems to me, is to call upon Deputy Morrissey to conclude it, then put whatever question may be necessary and conclude the whole matter; that is, to put the amendment, and whether it is carried or not, to put the main question as it will stand after the amendment has been disposed of, without further debate, but giving Deputy Morrissey the right to conclude.
With regard to the business, I will have to modify to some extent the undertaking that I gave to Deputy de Valera in connection with the Public Safety Bill. I think that the Financial Motion will have to be dealt with, as the time is running against us. Resolutions have been passed in connection with the imposition of tariffs on two items, and a certain number of days are allowed for them to be reported. Consequently, I would have to insist on having that motion dealt with, so as to regularise the imposition of taxes on the imports.
Are we to understand that the House will not meet next Tuesday?
I do not think it will. Some Deputies have represented to me that it is exceedingly difficult for them to come here on Tuesdays—Deputies who were in the last Dáil and the previous one.
Are we going to meet only two or three days every week? Is that the way the President intends to get through his business?
Some Deputies have expressed to me the great hardship it is for them to come here on a Tuesday from distant parts of the country. I have endeavoured, during the last four or five years, to meet the convenience of Deputies as far as is reasonably possible.
Would the President ask for the views of the Whips of the different Parties regarding the possibility of disposing of the business as quickly as possible?
I agree to that.
Are we to understand that the debate on the unemployment question has concluded, with the exception of a speech from Deputy Morrissey?
Nothing has been decided about the debate at all, but there has been the expression of a wish that it would conclude to-morrow.
The Dáil adjourned at 8.30 p.m.