It is proposed to take business as on the Order Paper: Nos. 4, 7 (Votes 38, 6 to 21, 23 to 68, 22, 22 (Supplementary) and 60, 61 and 62).
Order of Business.
Mr. O'Higgins
Might I inquire of the Minister for Justice when he proposes to proceed with the discussion of the Civil Liability Bill, which was adjourned? The Minister was to continue with it after the 1st July.
Might I ask the Minister for Defence when, if ever, it is proposed to go ahead with the Defence Bill?
As soon as possible is the answer to both questions.
I understood that agreement was arrived at to put through certain Estimates on certain conditions, namely, that token Estimates would subsequently be introduced and discussion on them taken up. I have not heard anything about that from the Tánaiste.
I was postponing my announcement until to-morrow. I understand agreement has been made.
The Estimates in question might come up to-day.
I understand debates on the Estimates will continue without interruption but that in order to avoid the necessity of another Vote on Account this arrangement was made that the Appropriation Bill will be passed and all the remaining Estimates and that then those Estimates not disposed of will be the subject of token Estimates, on which the debates will continue.
Not necessarily "not disposed of".
Not completed.
Yes.
We were willing to shorten discussion on the Estimates and, if necessary, even to allow some through without discussion on the assurance that we would get a token Estimate in respect of any of those which were either not discussed or inadequately discussed. Will the Tánaiste tell us for what Estimates he is going to have token Estimates?
I was waiting to see what progress was made to-day.
You may shorten the discussion to-day if you write the agreement into the record now.
Finance, Social Welfare and the Taoiseach's Department are the three principal ones outstanding.
Can we get token Estimates for these three?
Yes. If the Local Government and Finance groups are finished by to-morrow, then, of course, there will be only the other two. We have no intention of doing anything but playing fair in this regard. If the Deputy thinks I am trying to put something across——
I like the qualification "in this regard".
May I inquire from the Tánaiste if we can expect before Christmas to hear more about the National Development Fund Bill? In view of the importance which the Taoiseach attached to this Bill some time ago, may we expect to see the Bill before Christmas?
I hope so. I hope we will have the co-operation of Deputies opposite in disposing of the business so that we may proceed.
Will the Tánaiste give the House an indication on the Order of Business to-morrow of the business that the Government propose to deal with before the Christmas Recess?
I will try to do that, if the Deputy will not try to hold me definitely to it. I think I will be able to give a fairly complete list, but there is always the possibility of some contingency.