It is proposed to take business in the following order: Items Nos. 1, 4, 5 and 6.
Order of Business.
On the order of business, I tabled two questions here very recently, one in connection with the desirability of increasing the existing rate on Post Office savings deposits and the other in connection with the bank rate, requesting that the bank rate should not be allowed to increase as a result of the recent increase in the bank rate in Britain. In view of the importance of these questions, I asked permission to raise them on the Adjournment. Due to the rules of procedure, you decided to reject my request in connection with the first on the ground it would mean advocating legislation on an Adjournment Debate.
In connection with the second question, namely the bank rate, you ruled me out of order on the basis that the matter was too grave and too important to become the subject matter of an Adjournment Debate. That left me no alternative but to include these matters in a motion, which I tabled and which is now before the House. I most earnestly ask the Taoiseach, in view of the urgency and importance of the subject matter of both these questions now embodied in the motion, if he will give special Government time for discussion at the earliest possible opportunity?
The Deputy has got the publicity he was looking for.
That is very cheap.
The Deputy's action is very cheap.
The answer to the Deputy's question is in the negative.
Mr. Lemass
Could the Taoiseach give any indication as to when the Government will be seeking a Vote on Account?
At the moment I cannot.
If Wednesday is the 7th March I hope to have it on that day.
You can rest assured that the whole matter will be raised then.
If the responsible Opposition wish to raise the matter it would be quite in order. The Deputy has got sufficient publicity out of it.
The Deputy has the right in this House to raise matters of national interest.
Yes, in accordance with Standing Orders.
It is a matter of national importance.
The Deputy is only looking for publicity.
It is quite likely that the bank rate will be up by then.