Business, as set out in the Order Paper, will be taken as follows: No. 9—Votes 61, 62 and 63.—Nos. 2, 10, 11 and 12 and then back to No. 9 (Votes 50 to 66.) If not already reached, it is proposed to interrupt business at 12.30 p.m. to take No. 9 (Votes 50 to 66) and, when completed, to resume the order. Questions, as usual, will be at 3 p.m.
Order of Business.
I gave the Government notice last night that I wished on behalf of Fine Gael for time on Tuesday to discuss the motion handed in last night protesting against the censorship by the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs acting upon the direction of the Government and the Taoiseach.
The Government are quite prepared to give time on Tuesday. In view of the Deputy's remarks, might I point out that the Government have acted on legal advice. It is not a question of a decision by the Government but a question of law. The suggestion of censorship is completely unwarranted.
It is an administrative act of the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.
You can pay the postage and go to the courts.
Give us time on Tuesday and we shall demonstrate to you your bad habits.
I should be very glad to do so. I find the indignation of the Opposition rather spurious. They are rather like the card-player caught cheating.
They are building up a grievance before the election.
Might I make a suggestion which would make all this unnecessary? It is that the Government should now take a decision to allow the Presidential election addresses to go out without interference from anybody.
The Government's present advice is that a special Act of the Oireachtas would be required. We are prepared to consider that situation.
Nobody wants to build up a grievance. We want free elections. I think I am authorised to say this on behalf of Fine Gael. Say now that the election addresses go out and if that involves the Government in any breach of the existing statute law, we shall facilitate an Indemnity Act immediately. Is that not simple?
Our advice is that a special Act would be required. We shall look into that further and we are prepared to let the Dáil know on Tuesday.
Why not pay the postage and then go to the courts?
Is mine not a sensible proposal? Let the addresses go out and then, if an Indemnity Act is required, we shall all agree to pass it and then review the position.
What the Tánaiste says now is a contribution towards doing things in a reasonable way. This is Wednesday and the polling date is only three weeks from today. Surely the question of passing an Act to validate the matter could be decided between now and lunch-time or this afternoon and the Dáil, if necessary, could assemble on Friday for the purpose of passing the Act in all its stages. Once we knew that was the Government's intention, we could proceed with our business within the very limited space of time at our disposal.
There are some complications which have to be considered. I think we shall be able to let the Opposition know our decision as to what is required in this connection before the week-end.
Would it be possible for the Government to say that the addresses could go out and that they would prefer to proceed by Indemnity Act rather than by a prior Act?
The Deputy will appreciate that we have not had an opportunity of considering the matter fully,
As the Tánaiste realises, the sooner we can be told the easier it will be for us to settle the matter.
I am well aware of all the practical difficulties. I shall endeavour to ensure that the Opposition will be informed as quickly as possible.
Would the Tánaiste allow the Minister for Health to interrupt now?
I just wish to say that if Fine Gael want to place themselves——
Silence for "Helpful Harry."
——above the law, why should we facilitate them?
I should like to be allowed to hear the Minister for Health. It might help me in making my speech at Mitchelstown tomorrow.
It will not get the Deputy an audience.