It is proposed to take the business as on the Order Paper in the following order: Items 1 and 2.
I wish to intimate that we propose to adjourn this evening until next Wednesday week, 28th November.
Order of Business.
Are you taking only items 1 and 2 to-day?
Yes.
No Private Deputies' Business?
No.
The Dáil will not meet next week?
If we finish with item 2 to-day, is it intended to adjourn then even though it may not be 9 o'clock?
Yes.
We ought to be able to finish item 2 in a very short time.
We are brought back here every week for a two days' sitting. Would it not be possible for the Government to arrange to meet on four days a week every alternate week?
That matter can be discussed with the Whips. The only business available for next week is the Harbours Bill. If the Dáil wishes to meet for the purpose of dealing with that Bill, the Government are quite agreeable to that course. The Bill is not, however, so urgent as to require the Dáil to meet next week.
Would it be possible to arrange to meet four days one week, miss the next week, sit again the following week for four days, and so on?
It is quite possible to do so. I may say the experiment was tried before, but I am not so sure that it was popular with the Deputies of all Parties.
One can realise how ridiculous the present position is. We lose four days by having a two days' sitting. Why not sit four days every alternate week?
The whole subject can be discussed and decided by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges if Deputies so desire.
Will the Government Party Whips take notice of this matter?
We are not killed with work in this House.
I am not saying we are, but if the House adopts my suggestion we can do in one week what now requires two. In addition, we can save the expenses involved coming up to the city and returning to our homes and we can also save a good deal of time.
We get paid whether we work or not.
We could save a lot on travelling expenses.
There would be some little relief for the taxpayers.