As Deputies are aware, the House has agreed to resume No. 8 at 7.30 p.m., the Broadcasting Authority Bill, 1959. Is it the intention of the House that the Minister should read his speech on the Health (Fluoridation of Water) Bill now?
Business of the Dáil.
I have discussed this matter with the representatives of the other Parties. I shall probably make a long statement. I gather that the Leader of the principal Opposition Party, and I assume the Leader of the Labour Party, would prefer that I should make my statement without any break and they would, therefore, prefer that the matter should stand over to another day.
It depends. I understood from the Minister that he did not wish to be interrupted in his introductory statement by the effluxion of the Broadcasting Authority Bill. With our customary desire to facilitate reasonable representations reasonably made, I said at once that if he wished to propose that we should return to the Broadcasting Authority Bill now instead of taking up the Health (Fluoridation of Water) Bill, I would support him in that proposal. I do not think it quite proper to suggest that the proposal emanated in any way from either the Labour or the Fine Gael benches. It emanated from the Minister and, if that is his wish, I, on behalf of my Party, am quite prepared to facilitate him.
My only desire, having had the consideration of the House in this matter, is that I naturally do not want to start my speech at twenty minutes past seven, and continue for perhaps three-quarters of an hour, or possibly an hour. I do not know how long it will take me to read my speech and I am in the hands of the House as to what will meet Deputies' convenience.
I thought it was more or less agreed—it was suggested to me in any case—that the Minister would be allowed to continue his statement until he had finished.
I think it would be more satisfactory to have comment following the Minister's statement.
I suggest that the proposition that the Minister should read his speech and that we should then resume on the Broadcasting Authority Bill would not be a suitable one. This Bill dealing with water will require the very careful consideration of the House. I do not think it would suit anybody that the Minister should make his statement and the whole matter should then be adjourned. It is only natural that comment should be made in the House on the Minister's statement. If the Minister feels it is his duty to make a comprehensive statement and he has time now for only the first five paragraphs, I suggest we should pass on immediately to the Broadcasting Authority Bill and leave the other over. We have the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs here.
If that meets with approval, I am quite content.
Does the Minister propose to take it first thing tomorrow?
Perhaps.
Some time tomorrow?
Yes.