It is proposed to take the business as set out on the Order Paper in the following order: Items 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. It is proposed to take Private Deputies' Business at 9 o'clock when the Dáil will be concerned with motion No. 1.
Order of Business.
I gave notice this morning to the Ceann Comhairle that I desired, at the beginning of business to-day, to move under Standing Order No. 29 a motion for the adjournment of the Dáil on a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, the making by the Government of the Banks (Closing) (No. 1) Order, 1947, and subsequent Orders, by virtue of which (1) very serious public inconvenience has been and is being caused by the closing of the banks, and (2) the Government appear to be supporting the bank employers in requiring from bank employees, under pressure of a lockout, written undertakings not obtaining for any other class of workers.
The Chair is of the opinion that this matter is one contemplated by Standing Order No. 29.
How much time will be allowed for the discussion of this matter?
I wrote to the Government this morning suggesting that the motion for the adjournment might be taken not later than 6 o'clock on the ground that it is necessary that there should be such discussion as will provide a full clarification of the difficulties under which the public generally are labouring and so that we may be informed of the steps that must be taken by the Government to relieve these difficulties if the closing of the banks continues until Friday next, and particularly the steps that must be taken by the Government to relieve the people's difficulties should the closing of the banks continue after Friday.
The motion could be taken at 8 o'clock.
How much time will be allowed for the discussion?
Until 10.30 o'clock.
How long does the Minister intend to speak?
How long does the Deputy intend to speak—that would be more relevant.
The Chair has no control over Ministers or Deputies in that connection.
I can quite understand the Minister's facetious rejoinder, but in handling a matter of this character it is necessary, if the House is to take cognisance of it at all, that we should take every precaution to discuss it in a calm and conciliatory atmosphere. It is very necessary that the Minister and the Leader of the Opposition should feel themselves quite free to deal adequately with the occasion; but if other Deputies desire to take part in the discussion they will be reluctant to squeeze everybody else out. The matter is one of very serious significance and, if it can be disposed of in less than two and a half hours, surely the Government could allow the debate to begin at 6 o'clock and, if it can be disposed of before 8.30 o'clock, we can then deal with other matters.
What are we debating now?
The hour at which the motion is to be taken this evening.
If the Deputy takes much longer, we will stick to the Standing Order, which says 9 o'clock.
My respectful submission is that, in addition to those immediately interested in a matter of this kind, the humblest resident in the country is also specially interested, and is entitled to be heard. I think ample time should be vouchsafed for such persons to be heard.
I made the submission on the ground that this was a matter in which the Dáil as a whole was very interested. Paragraph 1 of S.O. 29 says:
"...he shall give leave to make the motion, which shall be moved at 9 p.m. on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, or 12.30 p.m. on a Friday, or at such hour on the day on which the request is made as the Dáil may appoint."
I suggest that 6 o'clock would be a reasonable hour to enable the various Parties in the Dáil to take part.
The Government is prepared to agree, in respect of this proposal, that the discussion should commence at 8 o'clock. I can assure the House that the Minister for Finance will be, as usual, brief and direct. If other Deputies stick to the subject under discussion, there will be ample time for a full and complete debate.
We are in the hands of the Government Party on the question of fixing the time.
Agreed that the motion be taken at 8 p.m.