It is proposed to take business in the following order: No. 2—Votes 1 to 54 inclusive—and then No. 7.
Order of Business.
Has the Taoiseach any ideas about the closing of the debate on the Vote on Account?
I suggest that the Whips of the various Parties should get together to see if some arrangement suitable to all of us can be worked out.
Tomorrow evening might be a suitable time, then.
It is the Whips really who should discuss this rather than have it discussed across the floor of the House.
That is so, but discussion across the floor of the House means that everybody will know and everybody will have an opportunity of making objections, if he so desires.
If the Whips meet and agreement is reached, we can inform the House of the agreement and make arrangements.
Has the Taoiseach as yet any idea when the Minister for Finance proposes to introduce the Budget?
It will be the week before Holy Week.
That will be the 10th or 11th of April, in other words.
The Government should have introduced it in Ember Week and then they could wear sack-cloth and ashes.
Is it proposed to discuss the Budget before the Easter recess?
No. I should like to consult the other Parties as to whether or not they want a full discussion before Easter. That will decide the date.
I do not follow that observation. The Minister is suggesting that it will be possible to have a full discussion if he introduces the Budget in the week before Holy Week. Surely that would be possible only by continuing to sit into Holy Week?
Does the Minister suggest he will introduce the Budget on the Tuesday or Wednesday of the week before Holy Week and that the main Budget discussion will take place after Easter?
I do not see what else can happen.
If the Deputy would prefer it, we could have the full discussion on Tuesday rather than on Wednesday.
A Budget debate would take more than two days.
If it is as grim as it is forecast to be, it will take a month.
That is only window-dressing.
I should like to give notice that I desire to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of Questions Nos. 46 and 47 on the Order Paper of 28th February, 1962.
I shall communicate with the Deputy.