I should like to ask the Taoiseach a question, with your permission, in connection with the local elections which are being held on the 28th and 29th June. Would the Taoiseach agree that the Dáil should not meet during the week of the local elections as several Deputies are contesting the elections and it would be unfair to conduct the important business of Dáil Éireann in the absence of so many Deputies? If we lose time now, as a result, that time can be taken from the summer holidays. Would that Taoiseach consider that question now?
Business of the Dáil.
I do not think the Deputy appreciates that the local elections are being held over a period of a fortnight. Some are being held on the 23rd June, some on the 28th, some on the 29th, and so forth. The adoption of his suggestion would mean the adjournment of the Dáil for a fortnight, which I think would be undesirable.
My point is——
There is no motion before the House.
——that the time we lose now could be taken from the summer vacation.
The Deputy may not have appreciated that the financial business of the session must be completed within a stated period. We just could not go to August for the purpose of dealing with it.
Would the Taoiseach not agree at least to have a recess on Wednesday next and to leave Thursday open? Everyone in Dublin is engaged.
Not at all.
Half of the Dublin Deputies are contesting the local elections. They want to be Lord Mayor.
A worthy ambition.
May I ask the Taoiseach to give the House next Tuesday the business which must be completed this session? We got a provisional list of a great number of Bills, most of which have not yet seen the light of day. I would be glad if the Taoiseach could give, not merely the Whips, but the House as a whole, next Tuesday, when we meet, the business that must be completed.
I may not be able to do it on Tuesday but I shall try to do it some time next week.