I move that the Dáil sit later than 10.30 p.m. to-night, and that the order for the Adjournment be taken not later than 6 a.m. to-morrow morning. I do not wish to say anything on that motion because I understand that since I gave notice of the motion, the Whips have been in conference and an agreement has been reached which, I think, will meet the object I have in mind, namely to get the business of the nation done as expeditiously as possible.
Committee on Finance. - Motion for Late Sitting.
I think Deputy Cowan performed a useful function by giving notice of his intention to move this motion. It has eventuated in an agreement between the Parties with a view to ensuring that this House will rise on the 13th July and have its business done. The suggestion is that we will meet on a Tuesday from 3 to 10.30 p.m. as usual; there is no change in that. On Wednesday of next week we shall meet from 10.30 a.m. to 10.30 p.m. Thursday of next week being a holyday there will be no sitting but for the remainder of the session the meetings will be: Tuesdays, 3 to 10.30 p.m.; Wednesdays, 10.30 a.m. to 10.30 p.m.; Thursdays, 10.30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
I would ask that the Whips might consider between this and next week the Thursday sittings lasting until 10.30 p.m.
Might I point out that the Parties have agreed to finish business on the 13th July by sitting until 8 p.m.?
We shall have another discussion on that point to see if we can get agreement on the 10.30 p.m. We on this side of the House want to see that there is no curtailment of a reasonable length in speeches. At the same time we want to get away as early as possible and to have the business done as expeditiously as possible.
The Whips, as the Taoiseach pointed out, had agreed on this a short time ago, but it came to our notice that some members were not agreeable to sit as late as 10.30 p.m. on Thursdays but only until 8 p.m. However, that may still be the subject of debate when the Parties meet among themselves next week, and it may be possible to sit later.
Is the Taoiseach able to assure the House that all the time between this and the 13th July will not be wasted on a limited number of Estimates, the remainder passing in a very short period?
We hope to do our best. With reasonable accommodation from all sides of the House, and a little give and take, there ought to be ample opportunity to debate all the Estimates.
Why the 13th?
Because it is the day after the 12th.
The date is the 13th July. The reasons are (1) in order to get away as early as possible in the summer and (2) because there is a meeting in Luxeuil on the 20th which both myself and some of the members of the Opposition have to attend.
I feel very satisfied with the results of the notice which I gave to-day, and consequently I withdraw the motion.