I have got notice from the Opposition that the subject for debate on the Taoiseach's Estimate is the administration of the Government in the last 12 months. I should like some interpretation of the word "administration" used in that suggestion. For over two months we have been considering the administration of all the Departments, and this debate should not be a rehash of such debates. I also got notice from a Deputy that he proposes to raise on the Taoiseach's Vote the question of the importation of Dutch tomatoes and the price of home-grown tomatoes. That is obviously a question which cannot be raised. There was a question on the Order Paper yesterday about it and it was also discussed on the Vote for the appropriate Minister, and it is hardly a question with which the Taoiseach would be able to deal. Therefore, this debate is not to be a rehash of the Estimates. It is a question of policy more than anything else.
Business of Dáil.
I should like to give notice that I propose to raise housing, unemployment and the cost of living.
It depends on the aspect the Deputy wishes to raise. There must be no rehash of what was said on the Estimates.
The bigger issues of policy.
As the Deputy who gave notice of his intention to raise this question of the importation of Dutch tomatoes, I should like to point out that this is an important matter.
It is not evidently a question of Government policy on which the Taoiseach would be expected to pronounce. It was raised on the appropriate Minister's Vote and by question yesterday.
Mr. de Valera
The responsibility——
Someone said "the responsibility". On that proposal and the interpretation now put on it, every Estimate could be revised and rediscussed, and I maintain that that is not proper.
Mr. de Valera
Nearly every question of policy, whether large or small, has reference to some particular Department. It is obvious that when the administration of a Department is concerned which affects the Government as a whole, it could have been raised on the Estimate and would be very proper for discussion to-day also.
"Every question of policy.""Policy" is the key word, not the items of administration.
I am raising the question as a matter of policy.