It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 1, 7, 8, 3 and 9. If not already reached, it is proposed to interrupt business at 12.30 p.m. to take Nos. 3 and 9. Questions will be taken at 2.30 p.m.
Order of Business.
I should like to inquire from the Taoiseach whether it is proposed to proceed with the Amendment of the Constitution Bills to their conclusion in this session and if it is intended to have the referendum this summer. The Taoiseach will appreciate that irrespective of the views Deputies on my side of the House may take on it, it is not in the national interest to have a matter of this sort dragged out during a protracted period at intermittent intervals during the course of the Dáil session. For that reason, the House and the country are entitled to know the timetable envisaged. In so far as the Opposition are concerned, we are prepared to facilitate the arrangement of business to have this matter brought to a conclusion.
In reply to the first question, as to whether it is intended to finish all Stages of the Bills this session, it is. Deputy Cosgrave's question may have been prompted by newspaper comment today. I should like to emphasise that items put on the Order Paper are there because they are urgent. The Industrial Grants (Amendment) Bill and the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Bill must be taken promptly. In the case of the Industrial Grants Bill, the money is needed and in the case of the Higher Education Bill, it is necessary to allow county councils to formulate programmes as to scholarships, et cetera. If there is any feeling about putting the Constitution Amendment Bills at the end of today's business, I do not mind, but I wish to indicate to the House that it is our intention to have these Bills on the Order Paper for next Wednesday during the whole day, with a tea break, and the following day as well.
As far as the holding of the referendum is concerned, that of course will depend on the passage of the remaining Stages of the two Bills and their passage in the Seanad. The House will also remember that the Constitution requires that if and when the Bills are passed, 30 days must elapse after the order signed by the Minister for Local Government bringing the Bills into operation. That could hold the Bills up until the end of July or early August which might not be an appropriate time for the holding of an important referendum. Though I cannot say with certainty when the referendum is likely to take place, if the timetable brings us into August, it would seem desirable that we should have the referendum not then but later, perhaps in early autumn.