Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Jul 1951

Vol. 126 No. 8

Business of Dáil—Motion.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach (Donnchadh Ó Briain)

I move:—

That, as and from 10th July, 1951, the time allowed to complete the consideration in Committee on Finance of each of the several groups of Estimates for Public Services for the year ending 31st March, 1952, set out in the Schedule hereto, for the consideration of the Estimates on report, and for the various stages of the Appropriation Bill, 1951, shall not exceed in the aggregate the appropriate period prescribed in the said Schedule in their respect;

That at the expiration of each prescribed period, if the proceedings on the business to which it has reference have not previously been concluded, the Ceann Comhairle or Chairman, as the case may be, shall put forthwith and successively the several questions necessary to bring the said proceedings to a conclusion.

SCHEDULE.

BUSINESS	Time Allotted
	(Hours)
AGRICULTURE Group of Estimates:
Votes Nos. 27 and 28	2
DEFENCE Group of Estimates:
Votes Nos. 56 and 57	2½
HEALTH Group of Estimates:
Votes Nos. 67, 68 and 69	3½
LANDS Group of Estimates:
Votes Nos. 47, 48 and 49	3½
JUSTICE Group of Estimates:
Votes Nos. 29 to 37 inclusive	2½
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS Group of Estimates:
Votes Nos. 58 and 59	2
EDUCATION Group of Estimates:
Votes Nos. 39 to 46 inclusive, and Supplementary Vote No. 43	3½
INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE Group of Estimates:
Votes Nos. 50 to 53 inclusive	4
FINANCE Group of Estimates:
Votes Nos. 1, 2, 4, to 26 inclusive and 70	4
TAOISEACH'S Group of Estimates;
Report of ESTIMATES:
APPROPRIATION BILL, 1951:
Vote No. 3. Report of Estimates and all stages of the Appropriation Bill, 1951	12½

In proposing this motion, I would not like any Deputy to think that this is a move by the Government to stifle discussion on the Estimates. Far from it. The position is simply this. The Government was anxious to complete all business by Thursday, 19th, and I got in touch with the Whips of various Parties to see if agreement could be reached. As a result, it was suggested that a meeting of the Committee of Procedure and Privileges should be called to discuss the matter. The meeting was held last Thursday and a programme was drawn up and agreed to. The programme was based on the assumption that the Agriculture group of Estimates would be completed on Thursday. This did not materialise and it is now proposed to give two more hours to complete them, otherwise the programme, as agreed to, is the same.

The matter is now entirely one for the House to decide but in view of the fact that it is an agreed programme I am sure that, with the wholehearted co-operation of the members, there will be little difficulty in carrying it into effect.

I should mention that sittings on Thursday, 12th, and Thursday week, 19th, would be from 10.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. If necessary an extension of sitting may, by agreement, be arranged for Thursday, 19th.

General Mulcahy

I appreciate the spirit in which this matter was discussed by the Committee of Procedure and Privileges and I propose approval of it.

Mr. Norton

Would the Parliamentary Secetary say until what date it is proposed to adjourn?

Donnchadh Ó Briain

To 31st October.

Mr. O. Flanagan

In view of the fact that so many matters of very great importance such as the recent increase in Electricity Supply Board charges and the question of bread and flour come under the Department of Industry and Commerce, does the Government not consider four hours a very short allocation for such an important Estimate more especially in view of the public's uneasiness arising from the Minister's Order to increase Electricity Supply Board charges?

Donnchadh Ó Briain

This programme laid out in the motion is an agreed programme drafted by the Committee of Procedure and Privileges. It might be possible that some of the groups of Estimates might not take the time set out for them and if that happens it may be possible to provide more time for the Estimate the Deputy mentions.

Mr. O. Flanagan

Would the Parliamentary Secretary not consider arranging to take the motion in the names of Deputy John Finan and myself together with the Estimate on public works? It might be one way of disposing of it.

Donnchadh Ó Briain

Sin ceist eile ar fad. There are a number of other private Deputies' motions on the Order Paper that would have precedence over that.

Mr. O. Flanagan

I am quite satisfied. I want to facilitate the Government in every possible way.

Mr. MacBride

May I take it that it is intended to take the group of Estimates in the order in which they appear on the Order Paper?

Donnchadh Ó Briain

Not necessarily.

Mr. MacBride

Could some arrangement be arrived at whereby prior notice would be given of the order in which it is intended to take the Estimates?

Donnchadh Ó Briain

Yes, a day's notice at least.

Mr. MacBride

In relation to the Taoiseach's Estimate, may I take it that the motions relating to the admission of Six County M.P.s to the Oireachtas will be taken simultaneously?

Donnchadh Ó Briain

Yes, that has been agreed.

General Mulcahy

May we take it that so far as to-day is concerned the Estimates will be taken in the order in which they appear on the Order Paper?

Donnchadh Ó Briain

Yes—with the exception of the Estimate for the Department of External Affairs.

Motion put and agreed to.