It is proposed to take business as on the Order Paper, Nos. 4 and 5, public business not to be interrupted at 12 o'clock to take Private Deputies' business. I understand that it has been agreed that the Dáil should sit later than 2.30 p.m. to-day and that the Order for Adjournment be taken not later than 12 o'clock, midnight.
Order of Business.
I assume that for the purpose of that arrangement you are going to take No. 5 off the Order of Business. You do not want to sit late to take No. 5. We are quite prepared to sit until such time as the Government gets No. 4 passed but it should not be necessary to sit late for the purpose of dealing with No. 5.
No.
The House will adjourn at the usual hour if No. 4 be disposed of before 2 o'clock?
Yes.
The Chair desires a clear interpretation in order to obviate misunderstandings later. If the debate on Item 4 should conclude some appreciable time before 2 p.m., will Item No. 5 be taken?
Yes.
I take it that there is no material reason to apprehend that such is likely to happen because the Prime Minister will take some time to reply. There are also one or two Deputies on this side of the House who wish to speak, apart from any Labour Deputies who may wish to contribute to the debate.
Is it necessary to move formally that the House sit later than 2 o'clock?
It should he formally moved.
I formally move that the Dáil sit later than 2.30 p.m. to-day, and that the Order for the Adjournment he taken not later than 12 midnight.
That arrangement is not to include No. 5 on the Order Paper?
No.
Qestion put and agreed to.
I wonder if the Tanaiste has any statement to make in connection with the date on which the Minister for Finance proposes to introduce his Budget?
I understand from the Minister for Finance that he is not likely to be ready to introduce the Budget on Wednesday next. He would like to have it postponed until the following Wednesday.