It is proposed to take the business on the Order Paper, Nos. 9 to 13, inclusive, the motion for a Money Resolution to be taken in its appropriate place; Public Business not to be interrupted at 12 o'clock for the purpose of taking Private Deputies' business.
Order of Business.
May I ask the Vice-President when Private Deputies' time is likely to be given again? Is it the intention to take Private Deputies' time from now onward?
Does the Government intend to make any statement to the House as to the necessity for taking Private Deputies' time?
I could not give an answer to that question at the moment. I know that probably next week we will be taking the Estimates and Finance business. With that amount of work, and the ordinary legislation in hands, it is quite probable there will not be much time for Private Deputies' business, but I am not giving a definite answer on that point.
In view of the fact that I had a motion on the paper for about two years, before it was reached, and that it is probable that the motion may not be finished until after the next general election whenever that may be, I would make this offer to the Vice-President. I thought that to-day we would have some time for Private business. A good deal of inconvenience is caused to Deputies from the country— I mean Deputies outside Dublin— especially as they have to attend here regularly in connection with Private Deputies' business. I am prepared to make this offer to the Minister for Finance——
Is this a discussion of Private Deputies' business?
I am dealing with the question raised by Deputy Norton as to the allocation of time for Private Deputies' business. There appears to be a tendency to get away altogether from the Order Paper from time to time. I am going to make this offer to the Minister——
Will you make a bet?
I have not got as much money as the Deputy.
You offered 66 to one yesterday.
Yes, and the offer still stands. Deputy Briscoe can get his syndicate of betting men together and take the bet. What I want to ask the Minister is if he is prepared to cause an inquiry to be made into the whole position of ground rents?
The merits of any motion on the Order Paper may not be discussed on the question whether Private Deputies' time is to be given or not, which should be settled outside through the Committee on Procedure and Privileges or through some other channel.
The House seems to understand from the Vice-President that no Private Deputies' time will be allowed next week, the reason given being that some Estimates will be discussed next week. Do we understand that Estimates will be discussed next week, and, if so, can we know what those Estimates are?
I have not said that. I said that we would probably be beginning financial business in the shape of Estimates next week, and, that being so, it is usual, I think, when financial business is being discussed, not to give Private Deputies' time.
The Vice-President will understand that this is very short notice, and I should like to know if he would be in a position to make a statement before the House rises as to whether Private Deputies' time will be allowed next week and, if Estimates are going to be taken next week, what these Estimates will be?
I will see before the day is over.
I would urge on the Vice-President that it is most desirable that the House should have some definite information on the point.