Business, as set out on the Order Paper, will be taken in the following order: Nos. 1 and 11, Votes 38, 40 and 39, and then No. 12. Questions will be taken at 2.30 p.m.
Order of Business.
Last week I put down a civil question to the Taoiseach inquiring what the arrangements were in regard to the reception of President Kennedy by the House. Yesterday I received a communication from you, Sir, stating that you were disallowing the question because the Taoiseach had no official responsibility in this matter. I want to know, and people would like to know, who has responsibility, what the details are and why all the secrecy about it.
The House has the responsibility.
How are we to know what will happen?
I understand discussions will take place at the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and that a proposal will be made to the House in due course.
That is not correct. There has been no meeting of the Committee and there has been no discussion.
There will be.
No notice has been given of such meeting.
There must be some regularity about these proceedings, surely.
I have sent a communication to the leaders of Parties in this matter.
The reception of the President by the Oireachtas is a matter for the Oireachtas. Perhaps the Ceann Comhairle would on some suitable occasion comment on that fact and announce that there will be discussions by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, if that is the arrangement, in connection with that matter? There are a variety of other matters connected with the visit on which I assume consultation will take place as soon as the Taoiseach can arrange it. So far as the Oireachtas is concerned, it is a matter for us to arrange here under your presidency and that of the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad. Is that not correct?
We are endeavouring to arrange matters so that a statement can be made. We are endeavouring to co-ordinate and arrange matters so that something——
Who are "we"?
Surely it is not correct to say the Taoiseach has no official responsibility in this matter? He will have to move a motion.
The arrangements of this House are entirely a matter for this House.
The Taoiseach is Leader of the House. I am the Leader of the Opposition. Deputy Corish is the Leader of the Labour Party.
In due course, a proposal will be made here.