I understand that the Minister proposes to make a statement about the business to be taken before the recess.
Business of Dáil.
It is desired to take before the end of the session the remaining Estimates, the Finance Bill, and the Appropriation Bill. A small Bill is to be introduced to provide for the charging of the Comptroller and Auditor-General's pension on the Central Fund. Then there is the Arterial Drainage Bill, Second Stage, and the Transport Bill, Second Stage. On the Transport Bill in order to allow a reasonable time to pass in the Dáil and Seanad before Christmas, the Committee Stage must be completed before the end of September. The Committee on Procedure and Privileges can decide whether the Committee Stage will be taken before or after the Summer Recess; in other words, whether the Dáil will adjourn for July and August or for August and September. The Committee Stage will have to be completed in the Dáil also the Trade Loans (Guarantee) (Amendment) Bill, all Stages. There is a Bill from the Department of Local Government and Public Health dealing with certain infectious diseases and other public health matters, which it is desired to pass. There are certain First Readings, Mental Treatment Bill, National Health (Amendment) Bill, Widows' and Orphans' Pensions (Amendment) Bill and the Emergency Powers (Continuance) Bill, all Stages, which must be passed before 3rd September.
The only thing that is obscure is the final reference to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges for a decision on the Transport Bill.
It may be proposed to sit until we have completed the Committee Stage of the Transport Bill and then to adjourn until October, or alternatively to adjourn earlier and meet to take it during September. That is a matter on which the Government has an open mind, and the desire is to meet the wishes of Deputies in all Parties.
Let us be clear on this matter, as far as we can. In the opinion of this Party it would be quite unreasonable to ask the House to sit down to consideration of the Committee Stage of the Transport Bill this side of the summer recess.
That is all right.
There will be general agreement on that. If we take up the Second Stage of the Transport Bill next week the Minister realises that he will have to give three or four weeks before taking the Committee Stage, and probably there will not be business to carry on in the meantime. In all probability the Dáil will have to deal with the Committee Stage of the Transport Bill after the summer recess.
In the month of September.
Yes.