It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 2, 2(a)—that is the introduction of a Supplementary Estimate circulated to-day —Nos. 7, 8, 9, 4, 10, 11 and 12. Public business will not be interrupted.
Order of Business.
Is the Tánaiste in a position to say to-day what Bills or stages of Bills it is proposed to ask the House to put through before the Adjournment for the summer recess?
There will be no proposals for major legislation. I cannot say there will be no further Bills because there may be one or two temporary Bills which will require to be enacted within a certain time but, generally speaking, apart from the business on the Order Paper, the only work to be done before the recess is the completion of the discussion on the Estimates. I understand the Committee on Procedure and Privileges will have a discussion this afternoon as to the possibility of getting the business of the Dáil completed by a stated time.
Will the Tánaiste state when the Government proposes to introduce the mother and child welfare scheme? Will we have something before the House at an early date?
I do not think legislation is required for that.
Will a scheme be introduced?
Mr. O'Higgins
Will a scheme be introduced under the existing Act?
The legislation was passed in 1947. It has now to be implemented by ministerial Order.
Inasmuch as that legislation is manifestly unconstitutional and inasmuch as grave objection by the Hierarchy to that legislation exists in the Taoiseach's Office, are we to understand that it is not the intention of the present Government to proceed under the authority of that Act until such time as these two objections to that Act have been removed?
All these aspects of the scheme will be fully considered by the Government.
We are glad to hear that.