It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7. In No. 7, the Agricultural Estimates.
Order of Business.
Why are we taking the Agricultural Estimates before the other Estimates that are on the paper? I think that is grossly unfair to the House. A White Paper has been published on agriculture and agricultural policy, which we got this morning. It is not fair to the House to take that this evening. I protest against it.
Deputies have had notice of the Estimates to be taken this week.
We were told that the Local Government Estimate would be taken before it.
No.
I definitely was. The Minister contradicted that statement of mine on the last day the Dáil met and I refer the Minister to the Official Report.
Having regard to the business taking place this week in the Seanad it is not practicable to have the Local Government Estimates begin to-day.
Apart from that, does the Tánaiste or the Minister for Agriculture consider that it is fair that the Agriculture Estimate should be taken this afternoon—the afternoon of the morning on which we got this very important White Paper with regard to future agricultural policy?
I do not know how long the other business will take. I think it is not unreasonable to begin the discussion to-day.
I think it is not reasonable to take it to-day. Personally, I would not have the slightest objection, if we had an opportunity of reading this very important Paper, in my opinion the most important White Paper that has been issued.
The Finance Bill precedes the Estimate.
Is the Minister inviting us to discuss that Bill at such length that we will not reach the Agriculture Estimates to-day?
It is not inconceivable.
It is not impossible at all. There is plenty of material there, I grant you that.
I would ask the Tánaiste to reconsider this matter. If the House is to be of any benefit to the Minister for Agriculture surely we should get the opportunity of studying this White Paper. Some of us have been travelling all the morning. I have not read the Paper yet and I protest against being rushed into a discussion of this matter without getting an opportunity of at least studying the Paper.
We will order the business for to-day. I think the Minister for Agriculture will introduce his Estimate and it is unlikely that the discussion will terminate to-day.
We only saw the White Paper this morning. I have only seen the headings of the Paper.
Deputies can raise it when we come to it.
Can we raise it if and when the Estimate is reached to-day?
Yes. Make representations.
That is what I am doing.