Next Stage?
Telephone Capital Bill, 1960—First Stage.
Leave granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to provide further moneys for the development of the public telephonic system and for other purposes connected therewith.—(Minister for Posts and Telegraphs).
Tuesday next.
When will the Bill be circulated?
This week-end.
Oh, now!
This is a Bill to provide the necessary capital for further telephone development over the next five years. It is no different from any of the previous Bills.
The Taoiseach will agree that the propriety of introducing a Bill to undertake capital telephone development over five years at 24 hours' notice and just before the Dáil adjourns is open to question.
The House was informed already of the intention to introduce the Bill, and it is really being introduced now for the convenience of the House. The authority for the expenditure authorised up to the present will expire at the end of October and the enactment of this Bill before the Dáil adjourns would obviate the necessity of meeting again before October.
The Government is not standing up to its responsibilities when it introduces the First Reading of a Bill on a Wednesday and asks for the Second Stage on next Tuesday. That is not good enough.
If there is any serious objection we shall not take it next Tuesday.
On this Bill will Deputies be permitted to discuss the difficulties which are placed on people in certain areas owing to the limitations of the telephone service?
Yes.
That is a matter for the Ceann Comhairle, not for me.
Second Stage ordered for Tuesday, 12th July, 1960.