It is proposed to take business in the following order—No. 3 (Pigs and Bacon Bill), No. 4 (Exported Live Stock (Insurance) Bill), No. 1 (Institute for Advanced Studies Bill), No. 5 (Finance Bill), No. 6 (Estimates) and, if the Minister is available, No. 7 (Local Government Bill).
Order of Business.
Arising out of the statement of the Tánaiste that it is proposed to take No. 7, if the Minister be available, is it the Government's intention to proceed with the holding of the local elections? It seems a highly undesirable thing to do in the circumstances. If it is not intended to hold the elections shortly, there is no necessity to proceed with this Bill. It will generate a good deal of heat, which could be avoided. When I raised this matter last week, I was told that the question of holding the local elections would be considered. Has any decision been come to?
The matter has been considered but no definite decision has yet been arrived at. Before the present week is out, a decision will probably be arrived at and will be made known. Whether the decision be to hold the elections or not to hold them, the intention is to go ahead with the Local Government Bill, as proposed.
Would the Tánaiste consider the inter-relationship of the two issues—the holding of the local elections and this Bill? If it is not intended to hold the elections, the Bill is not urgent, although it may be desirable from the point of view of Departmental tidiness. It is a controversial Bill so far as some of us are concerned. I suggest that consideration of it be postponed until we see whether the local elections are to be held or not. There can be no urgency about the Bill if the elections are not likely to be held and I hardly think that the holding of the elections is contemplated.
The Minister thinks it is necessary to have the Bill whether the elections are held or not.
If the Tánaiste reads the Bill, he will see that there is no necessity for it if the elections are not to be held.
It legalises the parish councils.
That is a thing I do not want to happen. It shows that 2½d. mentality where you should have a £ mentality. We have another instance in the Advanced Studies Bill to keep an invasion away.
The Deputy has also to eat his breakfast.