Vol. 112 No. 12
It is proposed to take the business as set out on the Order Paper in the following order:— Items 3 and 1. Might I suggest that we adjourn for an hour between 1 o'clock and 2 o'clock for lunch? The continued reporting is hard on the staff and I think such an adjournment would be advisable. I am sure the House will agree. Might I also suggest that at 2 o'clock questions be taken instead of at 3 o'clock, in order that there will not be two interruptions of business?
Agreed.
There is one matter to which I would like to draw your attention. Yesterday evening I had an amendment on the paper to Section 9 to make certain increases in pensions. You ruled that out of order. I see in this morning's Irish Press this reference to it:—
"Captain Cowan (Independent), speaking to an amendment he had tabled to increase old age pensions to a maximum of 26/- a week, said he was seeking leave to withdraw it owing to technical difficulties which had been explained to him."
That is not correct, but I am not responsible for what appears in the papers.
I am glad you say that is not correct. I say it is a dishonest distortion——
The Deputy must not make a speech on the matter.
I am not making a speech.
The amendment was not moved.
That is correct. What I want to say——
The Deputy may not make a speech on this matter.
I am not making a speech.
On a point of order.
Deputy MacEntee need not interfere.
I assume that the general rule is that, when a Deputy rises to a point of order, he must be heard.
A Deputy so rising is heard.
Deputy Cowan is taking advantage of this opportunity to make an attack on the Irish Press. The point I am now going to put is, will we be allowed to reply? I can testify that I heard Deputy Cowan saying what the Irish Press reporter has reported him as saying.
I will hear no more on this matter. The amendment was not moved, being out of order. That is the end of the matter.
I do not want to make any speech, but newspapers come here by our authority and if any newspaper deliberately distorts and publishes something that is inaccurate, I say this House has the right and the power to prevent representatives of that newspaper coming in here.
We could say a few things, too.
Is it proposed to sit until 12 o'clock to-night?
Yes, definitely.
Is it necessary that we should make an Order to that effect?
The Order that was made is continuing.
That Order stands for the remainder of this session.
Could Deputy Lemass indicate whether the Opposition are prepared to finish this Bill to-night, or will it be necessary to sit next week?
I rose merely to know if it was necessary to make an Order about sitting late.
Does the House desire to finish this Bill to-night?
It all depends on the course the discussions will take.
My anxiety is to arrange the programme.
If the Committee Stage is finished to-day, we could take the remaining stages to-morrow.
Or next week.
Perhaps we could do it to-morrow.
