It is proposed to take the business as on the Order Paper, item No. 4 to item No. 7 inclusive. In the case of No. 7, Estimates for Public Services—it is proposed to take Votes 54 and 55. It is proposed to take item No. 3—Money Resolution, Fisheries Bill, 1938—in its appropriate place.
Order of Business.
Can the Taoiseach now tell the House when it is proposed to take Estimate 67, External Affairs; 68, League of Nations, and Estimate 3, Department of the Taoiseach?
I announced yesterday in reply to Deputy O'Sullivan that as the Taoiseach intended going to the United States of America, consideration of these Estimates would be postponed. As the Taoiseach announced to-day that he has postponed his visit to the United States of America the question of the date for the consideration of his Estimates will be announced, when they will be taken in their usual time.
Has the Tánaiste any idea when these Votes will be taken?
It will be announced in the ordinary course of business.
So the House is to get no information on that point. Is this in pursuance of the effort to clarify the mind of the country?
There is no exceptional reason for the departure from the usual course or why it should be announced to-day.
It is only reasonable when the Opposition shows a desire to get discussion on a certain Vote that the Opposition should be facilitated in a particular way.
The Opposition is always facilitated, that is always done.
I am only asking for information, and the Tánaiste cannot pretend he has not notice of that. The question was asked yesterday and he gave a certain explanation as to why these Votes will not be taken this week. We will pass that by for what it is worth—seeing that to-day and to-morrow were available; but the explanation given no longer holds, especially in view of the announcement made to-day. I think the Tánaiste ought tell us to-day when these Votes will be taken.
I think the Deputy is most unreasonable and I am surprised at him. One would not expect a man with the physique of the Deputy to be so unreasonable. Men like that are usually of the type that take life easy. Whenever any Deputy on the Opposition side, and especially the Opposition Front Bench, asks for information about a particular Estimate, it is usually done through the Whips. The Opposition have always been facilitated and they will be facilitated.
May I point out, Sir, that in a crisis of this kind gibes of the sort that we have got from the Tánaiste are certainly most undignified and most unbecoming to this Parliament. I am afraid it indicates the want of seriousness of mind with which he and his Chief approach this problem. I have asked the Whip several times when this Vote will be taken and I have got several answers, all different. I want now to approach the people who have the real disposition of Parliamentary time and get the information for the House.
I ask the Taoiseach whether he would be prepared to make a statement to-morrow to the House——
Do I understand the Opposition wishes to have a debate on the Vote for External Affairs?
Yes.
Very well.
Will the Taoiseach kindly tell us if the House will have an opportunity at an early date of considering the threat of the conscription of our countrymen in Northern Ireland and what steps the Government will take to protect our fellow-countrymen there?
Item No. 4 on the Order Paper!