Business will be taken in the following order: Nos. 3, 8 and 2. It is proposed to ask the Dáil to discharge item No. 4.
Order of Business.
In view of the fact that the Minister for Justice is introducing a Legal Adoption Bill, I am not moving No. 4 on the Order Paper, in the names of Deputy H.P. Dockrell and myself.
I am agreeable to that, but I would like to say that I think the correct procedure in this case would be to allow Deputy McGrath and myself to bring in our Bill and then for the Minister to bring in his Bill as an amendment.
Before you proceed with the business of the House could we get any indication at this stage as to the likely parliamentary programme this week?
It is proposed to sit the usual hours to-morrow from 3 p.m. until 10.30 p.m., and on Thursday from 10.30 a.m. to 10.30 p.m., if that should be necessary to complete the debate on the General Financial Resolution and to allow the Finance Bill to be introduced. It is hoped that, the financial business being disposed of, it will not be necessary to meet on Friday, but if it is not disposed of it will be necessary to meet on Friday at 10.30 a.m. and sit later than the normal hour.
Supposing the Budget and the Finance Bill are disposed of before 5 p.m., what then?
We will adjourn at that hour.
Or such earlier hour?
The Committee Stage of the Social Welfare Bill will probably be ordered also.
Are we to understand that, except it is necessary to sit later than 5 o'clock on Thursday for the purpose of finishing the debate on the General Resolution, it is not proposed to sit later than that hour?
No. It would be necessary, of course, to report the Financial Resolutions and to move the First Reading of the Finance Bill.
I understand that.