It is proposed to take business as on the Order Paper, Nos. 5, 6 and 7, and then Nos. 1 to 4 inclusive, Public Business not to be interrupted at 9 o'clock for Private Deputies' Business. When the business as ordered is completed, it is proposed to adjourn the Dáil until 3 o'clock on Wednesday, 23rd March.
Order of Business.
Will the Tanáiste say if he is prepared to give Government time for the motion on the Order Paper in my name to-day? The motion refers to the wages at Rhynana airport, where there are between 600 and 700 men on strike. It is a matter of urgent importance.
I do not know how long the business, as ordered, will take to-day. I do not know what time will be occupied in discussing the variety of business there is, but in case there is time to-day for a discussion of the Rhynana motion, I should be agreeable that time should be provided for its discussion.
Is it the proposal that the Rhynana motion should be taken out of its place, and that, it having been disposed of, we should return to the normal order of Private Deputies' Business?
I was answering Deputy Hogan's question. As the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance announced to-day, and as is generally known, there is labour trouble at Rhynana, and I take it that Deputy Hogan wishes to raise that matter to-day as a matter of urgency. A couple of weeks ago it was agreed by all Parties that Private Deputies' time would not be taken for the present. I do not know whether the House desires to go back on that arrangement or not——
Mr. Morrissey
Surely, that does not arise on this question? The question which Deputy Hogan put was whether Government time would be provided for the discussion of this motion.
——but if Public Business be finished before the ordinary time to-day, I am prepared to give Government time — say, an hour and a half — for the discussion of the motion in Deputy Hogan's name.
Mr. Morrissey
That is completely in the Minister's hands.
That is, if the business is concluded.
I understood that the Government were anxious that the Vote on Account should be passed without the normal discussion associated with it, and that there was a desire to accommodate the Government in that respect. If other Parties were prepared to agree, I understood that a certain time was to be made available for a discussion of Deputy Hogan's motion because it is of urgent public importance, having regard to the fact that approximately 600 men are on strike at Rhynana. It ought to be possible for the Government to arrange business in such a way that, at 8 o'clock to-night, we might stop dealing with Government business and deal with Deputy Hogan's motion, and if that were disposed of before 10.30 p.m., resume the Government business then. If Government business is not finished to-night, surely the House could meet to-morrow for a short time, seeing that Deputies are in town, and finish such Government business as it is necessary to deal with.
I think if the Vice-President indicated agreement on these lines, and let the details be worked out by the Whips, it would be possible to get accommodation and meet all Parties.
If there is a desire to let the business go through without the usual amount of discussion, there ought to be time enough to-day for the other business to be taken at the end of Public Business.
Would the Minister allow the matter to be raised again about six o'clock, when we could review the position and see what business has been dealt with by that time?
I have no objection.
That is agreed.
It is really a matter for the House.
I propose that the matter be reviewed at six o'clock, if that meets with approval.
Or earlier if there is any danger of business collapsing.
At the end of Government business or before six o'clock.
That the position be reviewed but not the motion be then taken.
Agreed.