It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 7, 8 (Vote 43) then No. 9. If not already reached, it is proposed to interrupt business at 6.30 p.m. to take No. 9. It is proposed that consideration, of Government business be not interrupted to-day at the time fixed for taking business of Private Members.
Yesterday Deputy Sweetman asked me to give some indication of the business that the Government contemplate should be dealt with by the Dáil before Easter. So far as we can see at present, the business will consist of the following: First, Supplementary Estimates already circulated and perhaps some more to come; the Broadcasting Authority Bill, all Stages; the Imposition of Duties (Confirmation of Orders) Bill, all Stages; the Oireeachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices (Amendment) Bill, all Stages. We hope to conclude the Committee Stage of the Intoxicating Liquor Bill and to complete consideration of the Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) Bill, and also to deal with the remaining Stages of the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Bill and the Hire-Purchase (Amendment) Bill and to take the Second Reading only of the Rent Restrictions Bill. I should hope also that before Easter we will be able to make a beginning on some of the annual Estimates and I can inform the House that the first Estimates to be submitted for consideration, will be those for the Department of Defence and the Department of External Affairs.