I move that the Bill be now read a Second Time. I understand that the Minister for Justice would like to have the discussion on this Bill adjourned for a week. He is not quite ready this evening to go ahead. With your permission, A Cheann Comhairle, I, on behalf of the people who sponsor this Bill, would be willing to give the Minister that opportunity, if it is in order.
Private Members' Business. - Law Reform (Personal Injuries) Bill, 1957—Second Stage.
I take it the debate is adjourned.
Without in any way being in a position to say what the result of my inquiry will be, I am quite prepared to fall in with the suggestion that it be adjourned for a week.
Will it take its place then?
It is a question of endeavouring to find time between now and the start of financial business. Usually, when financial business starts, Private Members' time ceases. What the members of the Labour Party are anxious to find out is whether the Government will be prepared to give Private Members' time when financial business has started. That is what I have to find out—will the Government be prepared to yield time at a time when time is precious.
Financial business will not have started this day week.
The inquiries which will have to be made in reference to this particular Bill may run into six weeks or two months.
It has already been considered for four years.
Who considered it?
Every Department of Government.
We have not considered it, and it is we who count at the moment, and that is what I am endeavouring now to have done.
There is only one Department which had any objection to it.
The debate on the Bill can be adjourned by now and it will take precedence over any motion, it being an adjourned Bill.
It can be adjourned for a week.
Would it take precedence over an adjourned motion?
Yes. After its introduction, the adjourned debate on a stage of a Bill takes precedence over the adjourned debate on a motion.
It does not mean of necessity that it is going to be taken next week.
Take it this day week.
If, however, in order to convenience the Minister the Bill is postponed to next week and perhaps again postponed next week, I take it the Minister recognises the cooperation being extended to him today and that he will arrange that, if Private Business is not otherwise available, at least some Government time might be made available for the consideration of this measure.
I do not know that I should add anything to what I have said already. I am in the position I have already outlined here. My task now is to approach the Government and ask if they are willing to provide Private Members' Time when financial business has begun. As I said to Deputy McGilligan, the examination of this Bill by the various Departments may take—I cannot say—six weeks or two months, or it may take less. I cannot say that. By that time, the financial business will be in full fling; it will be going ahead, and I could not say here and now that the Government would be prepared to give time. If they are prepared to give time, that is another matter. I undertake, to communicate with the Deputy, whatever the decision is, even after next week.
Debate adjourned.
Motions Nos. 13 and 14 not moved.