It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 1, 5, 6, and 7. Private Members' Business will be taken at 9 o'clock.
Order of Business.
May I ask the Taoiseach what is to happen in respect of the many Bills on the Order Paper, and of which we have no notification and notice? I advised the Taoiseach that I would officially ask him this question.
In regard to the Bills on the Order Paper, so far as the Courts Bills are concerned, I have been dealing with these personally, and I think now that it is better to assume that they will not be taken until the next session. The Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill should be available shortly. It is a general provisions Bill and, after its preparation was completed, some additional provisions were considered for insertion in it. The Pensions (Increase) Bill will be available shortly and should, I think, be circulated before the end of the week. The Charities Bill, I think, will have to stand over to next session. I also understand that the Hire-Purchase (Amendment) Bill will be available next week.
What about No. 10 on the Order Paper?
What about the Solicitors Bill?
Discussions have been proceeding between the Minister for Justice and the Incorporated Law Society. I gather that most of the matters that arose in the discussions have now been resolved except one and a recent submission by the Society is under consideration by the Minister. While it is recognised that there is an element of urgency in the matter I think the next session is the earliest at which the Bill could be proceeded with.
Would the Taoiseach not agree that it is undersirable that the Order Paper should be cluttered up with a lot of Bills that cannot be reached? Would it not be desirable, in order to save the cost of printing, that Bills not ready until next session should be withdrawn from the Order Paper and formally put back?
I think they will all be available. If they are not taken, they would have to be introduced before the end of the session in any case with a view to having them discussed next session. The Deputy is aware that often in the preparation of Bills some legal difficulty arises which occasions delay. That was so regarding the Hire Purchase Bill. At least examination of proposals led to a decision to make it something more comprehensive than was originally contemplated. In other cases there were certain legal difficulties.
There seems to be some confusion about what the Taoiseach said about No. 11, the Courts (Establishment and Constitution) Bill.
I think it will be available for next session.
I ask the permission of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle to raise the subject matter of Question No. 54, of Thursday, 22nd October, on the Adjournment.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
What business is it intended to take tomorrow?
I think it very likely that the Intoxicating Liquor Bill will occupy the greater part of the time.
That will not be on all the time.
There are some minor Bills like the Houses of the Oireachtas Bill.
Is the Estimate for the Department of the Gaeltacht going to be taken tomorrow?
It is ordered for today.
No, it is not.
The other business for tomorrow is not likely to involve lengthy discussions, such as the Rent Restrictions Bill and the Electoral (Amendment) Bill. The main business will be the Intoxicating Liquor Bill.
Is No. 8, the staff of the Houses of the Oireachtas Bill, to be taken tomorrow?
Yes.
Is No. 2 not being taken tomorrow?
As far as I understand, it is.
Item No. 2 may be taken tomorrow?
Yes, it will be taken tomorrow. It is nothing more than an accountancy matter.