It is proposed to take business as on the Order Paper, Nos. 1 and 2. No. 2 includes Votes 63 to 54.
Order of Business.
What about Private Members' time?
It is not proposed to interrupt public business at 8 o'clock.
May I ask the Tánaiste what is the attitude of the Government in regard to Private Members' time for the remainder of the session?
It has been customary not to interrupt public business during the time that financial business is under discussion. From now on, during the next two or three months, is the time that financial business would be under discussion but if there is any strong feeling on the other side of the House that Private Members' time should be given for any particular motion the Government is prepared to consider that.
We do not want to be unreasonable in matters of this kind. I think the Tánaiste will agree that we have not been unreasonable.
That is true.
The Government on the last occasion that Private Members' time was available took Private Members' time in order to facilitate the chief Opposition Party. In normal times the Estimates for the Department of Defence would occupy two days' full time. I do not know, in existing circumstances, what would be the time taken up by the discussion on the Estimates for the Department of Defence if they were discussed in the House in public. We have facilitated the Government in regard to the Defence Department Estimates. Inside an hour, I assume, will be the time. These things, I hope, will be taken into consideration by the Tánaiste when we ask for Private Members' time to discuss items that are on the Order Paper for a considerable period.
Certainly, that will be borne in mind.
What is the attitude of the Tánaiste on the matter, then?
If there is any reasonable request from any side of the House for Private Members' time to discuss matters that the Opposition regard as of urgent public importance, there will certainly be reasonable time given.
May I put it this way— I hope it is not unreasonable—if Private Members' time were given up to-day in order to facilitate the Government in getting through another measure, will the Tánaiste give an undertaking that, when the Dáil meets next, Private Members' time will be given, in order to enable motions that have been on the Order Paper for some time to be discussed and disposed of?
Certainly, we will consider that, but, if there is any particular notice of motion that either the major Opposition Party or the Labour Party wish to have discussed, we will certainly consider giving reasonable time for the discussion of such motion in Private Members' time.
Is it intended to sit to-morrow?
Yes.