It is proposed to take business as on the Order Paper: Nos. 7 and 8 (Votes 58 to 37, inclusive). Questions will be taken at 3 p.m. If not already reached, it is proposed to interrupt business from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. to take Item No. 8 (Votes 58 to 37, inclusive) and, when questions are completed, to resume the order. It is also proposed that consideration of Government business be not interrupted to-day at the time fixed for taking Private Members' business.
Order of Business.
Before you put the Order of Business to the House, I wish to ask the Taoiseach why the Greyhound Industry Bill, which is a non-important measure, having regard to the conditions which now afflict the country and which are disturbing to any person who has an eye to the future, is being proceeded with, why it is proposed to devote no less than 11 hours of Dáil time to consideration of this Bill, a Bill which in itself is a scandal, which, instead of accepting the recommendations of the commission——
The Second Reading of the Bill is over.
The Deputy may not make a statement of that kind. He may ask a question.
I think I am entitled to put the reasons before the House as to why the Order of Business should not be accepted. That has been done before. The Order of Business has been challenged. I am asking the Taoiseach why this Bill is being proceeded with, in view of the fact that the national transport system is in the gravest difficulties, that it is facing a deficit this year which amounts to £4,000,000.
The Deputy intends to traverse Government policy. He may not do it in this fashion.
I want to ask why we are dealing with this Greyhound Industry Bill instead of with the important problems that the Government should be tackling.
I have allowed the Deputy to ask that question.
I put it to you that on the Order of Business, I am entitled to move that the Order of Business be not accepted by the House.
No. The Deputy is not entitled to make that motion.
The Opposition agreed to the order.
No, they did not.
All except you.
There was no agreement.
The Tánaiste has made a statement which, on my information, is contrary to the fact. The Government asked——
The Deputy will resume his seat. I do not know whether agreement has been reached or not. I do not intend to make any statement on that. I have allowed Deputy MacEntee to make an observation and to ask a question. I cannot allow him to proceed further.
I want to know why it is that the grave position of the E.S.B., for instance, is not being dealt with by the Government.
The Deputy may not proceed to traverse every item of Government policy.
I want to know why this Bill is being proceeded with, and being given priority over the Housing Bill, for instance.
The Deputy is ignoring the Chair. He will resume his seat.
I am awaiting the Taoiseach's reply.
I decline to accept the suggestion made by Deputy MacEntee that the Greyhound Racing Bill is a non-important Bill. It deals with the regulation of an industry which is of very considerable importance to a very large number of people in the country, particularly farmers and more especially small farmers. It is a matter of the utmost importance that we should get it out of the way and have the business of greyhound racing properly regulated by law. If the Deputy had not indulged himself in so much obstruction of this Bill, he would not have the complaints he has to make to-day.
Is the Taoiseach aware——
I cannot allow the Deputy to proceed.
——that the principal people who object to this Bill are the greyhound breeders?
I am not so aware.
As far as the Opposition is concerned, there was no agreement. The Government insisted on putting that order. I want to make that clear.
Deputy MacEntee should not introduce his personal spleens and spites.
There is another aspect of this matter. The Dáil is sitting to-day, abnormally, on Wednesday morning in order to facilitate the Government in making progress with the important measures still on the Order Paper—the Estimates, the Appropriation Bill and the Housing Bill. Instead of that, we are called here to consider this Bill and to take 11 hours. They are going to have the 11 hours.
The Deputy will resume his seat. The Order of Business will be Items Nos. 7 and 8 (Votes 58 to 37, inclusive) all as on the Order Paper; questions at 3 p.m. as usual. If not already reached, it is proposed to interrupt business from 2 to 3 p.m. to take No. 8 (Votes 58 to 37, inclusive) and to resume the order after questions. It is proposed that Government business be not interrupted to-day at the time fixed for taking. Private Members' business.