On behalf of this Party, I want to raise an objection to the present hours of sitting of the Dáil. At the commencement of the session, in view of the amount of work that had to be gone through with regard to the Estimates, a certain arrangement was agreed to whereby the Dáil was to sit for something like 26 hours per week. This was to be regarded as a trial and we, in the Labour Party, believed that the 25½ or 26 hours could be compressed into a shorter space of time. Our idea is that the mornings of the days during which the Dáil is in session might be utilised for the discussion. We therefore propose, inasmuch as there cannot be outside agreement, that the Dáil should sit from 2.30 to 10.30 on the first day of the week on which it meets, from 10.30 a.m. to 10.30 p.m. on the second day and from 10.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the third day. That gives a total of 25½ hours within a shorter space of time and allows the same amount of time for discussion as is possible under the present arrangement.
Hours of Sitting.
I cannot accept a motion from the Deputy now.
Notice would have to be given.
I am not accepting a motion from the Deputy. I am merely indicating that if he wantsto get the matter discussed, it must be done by way of motion. This matter was discussed in the House already on 23rd October.
Was it not agreed that the existing hours of sitting for the Dáil should hold until such time as we disposed of the Estimates and that, as soon as the Estimates were disposed of, we would revert to the ordinary hours of sitting under Standing Orders?
I do not subscribe to that. My memory is that the present arrangement was to be a trial and there was no specified time for it.
I am not suggesting that it was bound to be carried on for a time but that the maximum period for which it could be carried on was for the time necessary to dispose of the Estimates.
Whether the Ceann Comhairle was to get notice or not——
I got notice from Deputy Mac Fheórais and Deputy Kyne that they were going to raise the matter but it cannot be raised in this fashion for decision in the House. The House already came to a decision on the 23rd October in regard to the hours of sitting. If the Deputy wants to put down a motion in regard to it, he must discuss the matter with the Government with a view to getting time for a motion.
Could not we carry on as we have been carrying on for some days past until the Estimates are finished and in the meantime the matter could be discussed between the Whips?
This Party does not feel that you can do the business of the House properly during a 12-hour sitting. A sitting from 10.30 a.m. until 10.30 p.m. does not allow for a proper consideration of the business.
Would it not be correct to say that the present hours of sitting are more suitable for the legal gentlemenand that the rest of us must suffer?
No.
I should like to point out that it is necessary for Ministers to be in their offices for a considerable portion of the morning and that any proposal for an all-day sitting would upset that arrangement.
This is a matter for discussion outside the House. There is nothing before the House at the moment and the discussion cannot continue in this way.