The business will be taken as on the Order Paper up to No. 3, Private Members' time to be taken by the Government.
Business of Dáil.
Do I understand the President to say that he is not going to allow any time to-day for resuming the discussion of the motion with reference to the payment of rates and annuities?
Private Members' time is required in order to get through the business we have here.
The Estimates are scarcely a matter of urgency, I submit, with all respect to the President.
They are.
We are behind with the Estimates, as a matter of fact.
Will the President be prepared to say when he proposes to allow the discussion to be resumed?
I could not say at the moment. We shall have the Budget discussion next week.
Surely it is desirable that that motion should be disposed of one way or the other at the earliest possible opportunity.
May I point out that it was arranged with the Whip of the Party to which the Deputy belongs that there should be no Private Members time to-day?
I think I am not going beyond propriety when I take this occasion to ask the President, if there is to be no Private Members' time to-day, when he will afford a further opportunity of continuing the discussion on that motion. I submit it is a matter of urgent public interest.
There are many things of urgent public interest, but we cannot get time for them all. It is a question of priority.
I submit that it is a matter of urgent importance that the motion should be concluded at the earliest possible moment and I ask the President when he will give time for its further discussion and termination.
I do not agree that it is of as urgent importance as other things we have to consider and until these are disposed of I cannot give time for that.
Then the President is not prepared to say that Private Members time will be allowed at any given time in future?
Not until we see how we get on.
I am not in a position to resist the President, but I think he is gravely mistaken in what he proposes to do.
When is the Budget to be introduced?
It is hoped to introduce it on Wednesday, 10th instant.
As first business?
I think it is usual to postpone it until about five o'clock. I cannot remember now exactly, but I think it has been the custom not to take it sharp at three o'clock. There may be one or two other items first.
It is a departure from precedent to take it at five o'clock.
I do not see any reason why we should depart from precedent. Whatever is the precedent will be followed. If I remember rightly I think there is a reason why it should not be taken immediately the Dáil meets. It is customary, I think, not to take it at three o'clock sharp. It will be taken after First Readings on Wednesday next.