It is proposed to take business on the Order Paper in the following order: Nos. 1, 3, including Votes 69, 33, 61 and 30, and then, Nos. 5, 6 and 4—in that order—No. 2 to be taken in its appropriate place.
Order of Business.
In what order will the Votes be taken?
I presume they will be taken in the order as on the paper.
Is it proposed to sit to-morrow?
No.
Would it be possible for the Dáil to sit four days every alternate week? It is very hard on some of us coming from the country. We lose a day coming and a day returning. If we came up on Monday and travelled back on Saturday, we could have a four day session every second week. This is a very busy time for farmers, business people and professional men, and I think it is only fair that, if possible, such an arrangement should be made for at least a couple of months. I would ask the Dáil to consider that matter.
I suggest that is a matter that could be discussed with the Whips.
The Deputy had better discuss that matter with the Government Whip.
In view of Deputy Heskin's suggestion, which certainly commands a volume of support in the House, may I suggest that the Government Whip might take the initiative in the matter? I believe Deputy Heskin belongs to the distinguished body of Independent Deputies in this House——
Extinguished bodies.
Distinguished. Our Whip functions somewhat erratically. Therefore, I suggest the Government Whip should take the initiative and try to ascertain the feeling of the House generally in the matter and, if possible to meet the Whips later.
We should be quite willing to do that if we found any general desire in the House to have that matter considered.
The Chief Whip can find that out by judicious inquiry.
Very good.
I do not wish to have that arrangement carried out over a long period. This is a particularly busy time for the farming community and professional people and we are wasting a lot of time travelling. We must travel on Monday and if we sat four days a week—Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and half of Friday, we could easily leave the other week free to attend to our business at home.