It is proposed to take business as on the Order Paper: Items Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6. Private Deputies' Business will be taken if and when the business ordered has been concluded.
Order of Business.
Do I understand that if the Public Business continues after the normal time, Private Deputies' Business will not be taken to-day?
That is so.
I submit that that is a rather objectionable procedure for the start of a session. I ask the Tánaiste to reconsider the matter and not to break in on Private Members' time in this way. There is a very considerable amount of work arising out of Private Members' motions, and, if we get into financial business, these motions will be squeezed out and we shall have no discussion on them. Rather than encroach on Private Members' time, I suggest that the Government should consider what it can do to enable members to get these motions disposed of. We could do the normal business to-day and then take on Private Members' Business at the usual hour, as there does not appear to be much business for the week.
If there is a strong feeling that Private Members' Business should be taken, we are quite willing to accede to the request that it should be done.
That will be more satisfactory.
Private Deputies' Business will be taken then at the usual time.
At 7.30 p.m. or earlier.