It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 9, 5, 6, 7, 2, 11, 10 and 12. It is not proposed to interrupt Government business at the time usually given to Private Members time.
Order of Business.
Which is to come first at the end?
No. 11 first. I understand that there is a feeling that the debate on the Vote on Account might finish today and I make the suggestion that the Minister for Finance might be called upon not later than 5.45 p.m. and the vote be taken not later than 6.45 p.m.
We would not be in a position to signify our acceptance of that until later on, say 5 o'clock.
Who made that arrangement?
It is not an arrangement. It is a suggestion.
What is to happen about the C.I.E. motion?
As far as the C.I.E. motion is concerned, I would suggest that if we finish it at 12.30 p.m. to-morrow we could give to it whatever time is available tonight plus two hours tomorrow.
I do not think that is suitable.
Would the Taoiseach say what is the sitting time next week?
The same as this week.
In relation to the order of business, Sir, in accordance with No. 29 of the Standing Orders we propose to move the adjournment of the Dáil in order to discuss a matter of grave public importance arising out of the arbitrary lock-out of the employees of C.I.E. by Dr. Andrews.
I received this morning a letter asking that a certain matter be raised under Standing Order No. 29, the matter being the present lock-out of workers by the management of C.I.E. I have considered the matter carefully and, in accordance with precedent, I am ruling that the matter must not only be of such an urgent nature that discussion should not be delayed but also that it should involve Government responsibility. In this case C.I.E. and their operations do not come within the responsibility of a member of the Government.
This House has a responsibility to the public, in view of the fact that a subsidy is paid to C.I.E. I say that in view of the hardships being imposed on the public, this House has a right to air its views on this matter.
The Deputy can put down a motion.
Surely the Ceann Comhairle realises that a motion cannot be discussed for ages under the Standing Orders and that this is a matter of immediate urgent public importance?
That is a matter for the Ceann Comhairle.
The Standing Order clearly states that a private Deputy is entitled to move that the Dáil adjourn to discuss a matter of grave public importance and I submit that we have an absolute right to move that motion.
I have already decided that the motion does not fall within the terms of the Standing Order.
Is it not a fact that we listened to the Minister for Transport and Power replying to questions on this matter in this House today? If it can be discussed in Question Time surely it can be discussed on a motion of urgent public importance.
The fact that questions were asked does not make the Minister responsible for the lock-out of the men.
I think it is the wish of all the members of this House that every effort should be made to bring this matter to a satisfactory conclusion. In view of the desirability of that result, is it not in order at this stage to discuss the matter in this House so that Deputies who have responsibility for the setting up of C.I.E. will not be put in the position of being told they backed the lock-out of the workers?
I will not allow the Deputy to make speeches in an irregular fashion.
Other institutions and organisations have expressed their disapproval of this lock-out. Surely Deputies should be given an opportunity of telling Dr. Andrews that he is living in 1961, not 1913? William Martin Murphy is dead.
C.I.E. is an independent body. Their actions do not come within the responsibility of the Government or a Minister of the Government.
On the Order of Business, may I ask the Taoiseach or the Minister for Finance whether any date has yet been determined for the Budget?
It is intended to introduce the Budget on April 19th.
That will be the second week of sitting after Easter, not the first.
In Committee on Finance.
On a point of order.
I cannot allow any further discussion.
In view of the seriousness of this matter——
I cannot allow any further argument on this matter. If the Deputy wishes he can put down a motion.
If this question is——
Deputies
Chair.
I will not oblige the Deputy by asking for his removal.
If you suggest this is a matter that can be dealt with in the form of a motion, may I take it that motion will be taken to-night or to-morrow at the latest?
It is a matter for the Government to say whether time will be made available for it.
The answer is "no."
Are you prepared to consider a motion on this matter to-day or to-morrow?
The Deputy will resume his seat.
Then I take it you have been sheltering the Taoiseach and he is not prepared to give time. You let the cat out of the bag that time.
In spite of the grave inconvenience to the public the Government do not consider it sufficiently important to discuss this matter.
This is all filibustering.
(Interruptions.)
What will be the position with the general public if it starts to rain in the morning? Will the unfortunate people of Dublin be left subject to wind and weather in the morning?
The Deputy will resume his seat. The business of the Dáil will proceed.
That is a disgraceful decision on your part.
Does the Government not believe this is a matter of grave public importance? Have these negotiations not been protracted and unnecessarily prolonged by the autocratic behaviour of Dr. Andrews? Should Dr. Andrews not be asked to resign because of his incompetent handling of this situation.
He is not going to put you out.
It is a disgrace that the Ceann Comhairle is not prepared to make time available to discuss this.