It is proposed to take business in the following order:— Nos. 2, 4, 5 and 6 and, in No. 6, Votes 17, 40, 44 and 56; then Nos. 11, 12, 13 and 14; Private Members' Business at 9 o'clock.
Order of Business.
Is No. 3 cut out?
Yes.
As the Minister for Finance is not here, could the Taoiseach give us any indication as to when the Book of Estimates will be published?
If the Deputy will put the question again——
Tomorrow morning?
Perhaps.
Would the Leas-Cheann Comhairle tell us how much time there is on the resumed motion in Private Members' time?
One hour and twenty-five minutes, I understand.
Is it proposed to sit on Wednesdays and Thursdays at the present hours?
Yes, I think so. I think the two days' meeting per week will be sufficient until we get on to the Vote on Account which, I anticipate, may be possibly on 7th or 8th March.
I did not quite catch what the Taoiseach said.
We will sit two days a week until we start the Vote on Account.
May we expect to start that about the middle of next month?
I hope about 7th March, but it may be a week later.
It will be available on the 7th?
It is a matter of getting the Book of Estimates printed and circulated in time.
It will not give much time if it is taken a week after.
I have not yet been able to get when it will be available. Whether something has happened to the acoustics I do not know, but it is exceedingly difficult to hear to-day.
The only person we can hear is the Tánaiste, and we do not want to hear him.
That is a very rare occasion.
He is abnormally clear.
Before we take No. 1, I wonder would the Minister for Health mind my asking him a question. We set up a health commission or committee of inquiry into the general administration of the health services. I do not think that committee has met yet. There is a certain degree of urgency in the passing of the resolution and I wonder if we could get an indication of when the committee may meet.
It has not yet been set up. The Committee of Selection must report formally to the House. I understand nominations must be received.
Is it out of the Minister's hands in that respect?
Yes