It was announced by the Tánaiste that it is desired to finish the financial business to-night. I understand that the Opposition desire to speak on Section 4 of the Central Fund Bill. I propose to move that the House will sit later than 10.30 p.m. but not later than 12 midnight. Perhaps we could get some understanding now as to what time will be allowed the Minister for Finance to reply to the debate on the Vote on Account. That would enable us to see what time will be left for whatever debate the Opposition may wish to have on the Central Fund Bill. I think it will be appreciated that it is essential that the financial business will be finished to-night.
I want to try, so far as I can, to make the best use of the time available. If there is no desire to debate anything on the Central Fund Bill and to let it go through in the usual way, the House might agree to the Minister getting in at a certain time. If there is a desire to have a particular section of the Central Fund Bill debated on the Second Reading, that will obviously mean that the Minister for Finance will have to get in earlier to conclude the debate on the Vote on Account. If the feeling is that the House should sit until 12 midnight I suggest the Minister for Finance should be allowed to speak at 10 p.m. and should be given an hour to reply to this four-day debate and the remaining hour should be devoted to the Second Reading and concluding Stages of the Central Fund Bill.
