It is proposed to take items Nos. 3 and 4 as on the Order Paper, item No. 2 to be taken in its appropriate place. It is hoped to finish item No. 3—the Second Reading of the Finance Bill—by 6.30. If it is not finished by that hour, item No. 4—the Pigs and Bacon (Amendment) Bill—will be taken for Second Reading. If the business ordered be finished by 10.30 p.m., the House will adjourn until Wednesday, 29th November. I would like to know if the House has any idea as to whether it will be possible to finish the Second Reading of the Finance Bill by 6.30.
Order of Business.
No.
I am not aware that Deputy Linehan is entitled to answer.
I can assure the Minister that Deputy Linehan's answer was very near the truth.
Has he been promoted to the Front Bench permanently?
Is there any likelihood that any of the emergency orders will be applied to prevent people being promoted to the Opposition Front Bench?
None in the world.
Because there have been serious extensions of the reach of the emergency orders, but, leaving that, I think the House had better order its business on the basis that it is unlikely the discussion on the Finance Bill will be completed by 6.30.
At 6.30, item No. 4 will be taken.
May I ask the Tánaiste if he will take an early opportunity of making a statement to the House as to whether it is the intention of the Government to proceed with the Valuation Bill? I suggest to him that, in times of stress such as the present, the Government should not go ahead with this measure. I am sure that in these circumstances the Government will drop it, and, therefore, I think they should let the public know as soon as possible.
May I ask if, in view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply to my question on to-day's Order Paper, I can raise the matter on the motion for the Adjournment this evening?
The Chair will give that matter consideration, and communicate with the Deputy in due time.