It is proposed to take the business on the Order Paper in the following order—Nos. 1, 2 and 3.
Business of Dáil.
Owing to the unsatisfactory answer of the Minister for Justice I propose, Sir, with your permission, to raise the subject matter of Question 7 on the adjournment.
I have had notice of two questions for the adjournment. I shall consider the matter.
Mr. Byrne
I will surrender my right.
The Deputy knows that the Emergency Powers Bill will be taken within a few days.
This is a very urgent matter and we may not reach the Emergency Powers Bill next week.
That depends on the House.
Mr. Cosgrave
Is it proposed to take all stages of the Emergency Powers Bill this week in the event of disposing of the Vote on Account by to-morrow afternoon?
I do not know whether it is possible for the Dáil to adjourn this week or not. If it is proposed that the Dáil should adjourn this week, then all stages of the Bill will have to be taken.
Mr. Cosgrave
I shall put my question in another form. Is it proposed to sit on Friday to finish the business, if it is possible to do it? It seems un reasonable to bring people up again next week if we can finish the business this week.
I am in agreement with the Deputy. If the House is agreeable to finish this week, we will sit as long as it is necessary to finish this week.
What is the proposed period of adjournment?
We have not considered that yet. I will tell the Deputy to-morrow or Friday.
For the guidance of new Deputies, it might not be amiss to point out that the matters for discussion on a Vote on Account are expenditure and wide aspects of policy. Administration is discussed on Estimates. The Votes for Departments are not itemised in the Vote on Account. As the Estimates for certain Departments were dealt with and moneys appropriated before the dissolution, no money is now required and, consequently, the policy and expenditure of those Departments do not arise for discussion. Those Votes are the groups coming under Education, Industry and Commerce, Supplies and Justice, and some minor Votes. Legislation passed or pending may not be discussed.
Is it not permissible to raise a policy question affecting Ministers or the Government as a whole?
Of the Votes to which I referred, in the case of three of them a motion to refer back was moved for the express purpose of discussing policy. Policy was discussed and does not arise now. There cannot be a duplication. If no money is required, the subject does not arise.
In view of the fact that the Taoiseach's Estimate is down for discussion at a later date, is it not permissible to discuss Government policy on the Vote on Account?
It would be on very wide issues, but you cannot, in discussing the Vote on Account, anticipate Estimates.
Unemployment?
That has already been disposed of on the Vote for the Minister for Industry and Commerce.
Unemployment was disposed of by emigration.
I understood the Deputy was referring to the Vote for Unemployment.
Policy.