It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 3, 7 and 6, and in No. 6, Votes 27 and 28. It is proposed that public business be not interrupted for the taking of Private Deputies' Business.
Order of Business.
Could the Tánaiste give an indication of what the business will be next week?
No, I am not in a position to do so.
I understood we were told by the Government last night that on Tuesday there would be a Vote on Account, and that it would continue until it had been concluded
Certainly.
Could the Tánaiste, or the Minister for Finance, give an indication of the basis on which the Vote on Account figures are made up? Are they on the basis of a four months' supply approximately?
Yes. It is to provide for the Adjournment, and to enable the Dáil to dispose of the remaining Estimates before the Appropriation Bill is introduced.
I see that in the Vote on Account there is no provision for Votes 63, 64 and 65. Is the reason for that, that these are the only Votes which have been reported out of Committee?
Yes. The Deputy is aware that it is the practice that, unless immediate expenditure must be met from a Vote, not to report it but wait to report it with all the others.
Will not the Minister restore confidence in the country and say that this is a proposal to put them in funds so that they can carry on until there is a general election?
The Deputy is not so anxious for a general election.
Indeed we are. Do not have any doubt on that.
The Minister is aware that he will not restore confidence in the commercial and business community until the Government make it clear that they are going to give the country an opportunity of expressing its view at a general election.
No. 3.