It is proposed to take Nos. 5, 6, 2, 3 and 4.
Order of Business.
Perhaps it might be convenient at this stage if we could give some general indication as to the sittings of the House next week. It was proposed to set down the Social Welfare Bill for consideration on Tuesday. I understand that was agreed to on the assumption that the Bill will be available to-day. The Bill is available and we can proceed with discussion on the Second Stage on Tuesday next, unless it is desired to shift the Second Reading of the Bill to Wednesday. If one day's sitting of normal length will be sufficient to dispose of the Second Reading of the Bill, the House need not meet until 3 o'clock on Wednesday afternoon. If, however, it is thought that it will not be possible to complete the Second Stage of the Bill between 3 p.m. and 10.30 p.m., it would be necessary to sit at 10 a.m. on Tuesday or Wednesday. It is a question of facilitating the House in the matter and, perhaps, the Opposition could facilitate. If it is thought preferable to discuss the matter between now and 2 o'clock to-day between the Whips, that can be done and some arrangement made.
My view is that the debate on the Second Reading of the Bill is not likely to be protracted but, having regard to the nature of the Bill, I think it will take a very considerable time in Committee. Perhaps the Tánaiste would indicate now when it is contemplated that the Committee Stage will be taken.
There, again, it is a matter of facilitating the House. So far as I am concerned I am quite prepared to put down the Bill for Tuesday and have the Committee Stage the following week. If, however, there is any desire on the part of the House to conclude business on the discussion of the Bill next week, we could take the Committee and other Stages next week. I am not, however, pressing for that because I realise it is desirable the House should get an opportunity of dealing fully with the subject matter of the Bill on the Committee Stage. If the House agrees, we can, with the agreement of all Parties, take the Committee Stage next week. I am not pressing for it and it can remain over until the following week, if desirable.
Having regard to the length and nature of the Bill, I think it would be impracticable to take the Committee Stage next week. That presumably means that the Committee Stage would be taken the following week. The amount of business to be done next week will, I think, consist entirely of the Second Reading of the Social Welfare Bill and other minor Bills which have been introduced. In view of that I think it would be practicable to complete next week's programme within the normal sitting hours. If, however, the Government thinks that more time is required perhaps an earlier meeting on Wednesday would be sufficient. That particular matter can be discussed between the Whips. Assuming that the programme for next week is the Second Reading of the Social Welfare Bill and of the other minor Bills which have been introduced, some of which may be concluded next week, I think busisess could be discussed within the normal hours. It is a matter upon which the Government Whips would know as much as the Opposition.
If we could get agreement to finish the Second Reading, let us assume the House sits at 3 o'clock on Wednesday——
Or on Tuesday and Wednesday.
I do not think we will occupy two days on the Second Reading of the Bill. However, I do not mind if we do, but if we are going to take just one day on the Second Stage the House may feel it would get a better opportunity of studying the Bill if we met on Wednesday instead of Tuesday.
I would not like to intimate final agreement to that arrangement, but I think it is practicable. Perhaps it could be fixed up between the Whips during the day.
And an announcement will then be made before the House concludes to-day.
The Minister intimated, by the way, that he intended to circulate an explanatory memorandum.
I hope to have that distributed to-day.
It will be very helpful to Deputy MacEntee.
The Deputy is a young man in a hurry.