It is proposed to take business as on the Order Paper, Items Nos. 1, 2 — No. 2, the Local Government Estimates — and 3. If that business is concluded, the External Affairs Estimates, commencing with Vote 72— Alleviation of Distress — will be taken.
Order of Business.
Is the Taoiseach in a position to say when he proposes to take his own Votes — External Affairs, League of Nations and his own Department?
If there is time, to-morrow. If not, next week.
When is it proposed to take No. 4, the Industrial Relations Bill?
To-morrow, I hope. It will depend upon the progress of business to-day.
I understood the Tánaiste to indicate that, if there was a desire on the part of any side of the House to have a longer interval before taking the Bill in order to enable interested Parties to give the Bill a thorough examination, it might be postponed to a later date. Labour members would like to have a few more days.
In that case, we will take it next Tuesday.
Will the Taoiseach consider giving at least a week's notice of his intention to take such an important Vote as that for his Department? The suggestion that it should be taken to-morrow is rather short notice.
If it is next in order on the Paper, the Deputy knows that it comes next.
The business to be taken is the Local Government Estimates, the Supplies and Services Bill, the Alleviation of Distress Estimate and then the External Affairs Estimates. They will be taken to-day and to-morrow in that order.
Are we to understand that Estimate No. 3 — Department of the Taoiseach — will not be taken this week?
In my optimism, I should hope it would be.
I am only trying for clarity.
All the Estimates will be taken, if there is time, but the Dáil is meeting only to-day and to-morrow this week, and it is unlikely to be reached this week.