It is proposed to take Nos. 14 to 18 inclusive. With the agreement of the House it is proposed to discharge the orders for Nos. 14 and 15. It is not proposed that consideration of Government business be interrupted at the time fixed for Private Members' Business.
Order of Business.
On the order of business, if the Taoiseach consults the Order Paper he will see that there is a motion, No. 61, in my name and the name of Deputy Enright dealing with a matter of very great interest and concern to my constituency involving the livelihood of 1,500 persons. In view of the urgency of this and because, in the ordinary way, this motion will not be taken until close to the summer recess, would the Taoiseach be prepared to grant Government time for the discussion of this motion, in view of its importance in relation to the livelihood of so many people in the town of Clara in County Offaly?
Private Members' Business will be taken next week. Deputy Flanagan knows or ought to know that it is a matter within the competence of his own party to give priority to any motions in the names of members of their party. It is not a matter for me.
How many hours of Private Members' Business will we have next week?
The usual.
I have forgotten what that is because it is so long since we had it.
I want to know will this motion be given top priority. Will Government time be given? We do not want to take it in Private Members' Time because we know there are motions which were put down before ours. We want to know can Government time be given in view of the manner in which the Government are involved, and may be more seriously involved, in the outcome of the proposed inquiry, if it is held.
I have told the Deputy already that if it is priority he wants he can claim that with his own party.
On Government time. I venture to say that this is the most urgent motion that is on the Order Paper. In the ordinary way I should not like to trespass on the Private Members' Time of my other colleagues in the Fine Gael party or my colleagues in the Labour party. In view of the urgency and importance of this matter I am asking for Government time for this motion——
Why take up our time?
——in view of the very great public investment of money in this factory——
The matter cannot be discussed at this stage.
I want to talk about the decision by Messrs Good-body to close it. That is all I am asking.
Could the Taoiseach tell us when it is proposed to take Item No. 1, the legislation in the names of members of the Labour Party to provide votes at 18 years? I do not think this should be long-fingered particularly in view of the fact that it is expected that local elections will be held in the middle of 1972?
I will let the Deputy into a secret. The Government are considering legislation at this moment in which that question is one of the prime issues.
We take it, therefore, that those who are 18 years of age and over will have an opportunity of voting in the next local election, at least, and at any referendum that may be held in the immediate future?
That will depend on the decision of the Government in the first instance and of the House in the second.
Will this legislation which the Taoiseach speaks of to change the Constitution provide for anything other than the provision of votes at 18 years?
It may well, if the other things are appropriate at the time.
We can look forward to votes at 18 in the immediate future?
I cannot anticipate a Government decision.
They are all for it too.
We will see when the time comes.
No. 14.
Can the Taoiseach say if the legislation dealing with votes at 18 is intended to apply only to local elections or to include Dáil elections?
If it is included in the Bill which will be presented to the House in the near future it will include Dáil elections.
And presidential elections?
Arising out of the statement made by Deputy Flanagan I should like to ask the Taoiseach if he is prepared——
The Deputy may not raise that matter at this stage. Deputy Flanagan has raised it. Will the Deputy please resume his seat?
Arising out of the Order of Business——
I have called No. 14.
On a point of order——
The Deputy has raised the point and he has received a reply.
I have received no reply.
It is the one matter. The matter cannot be debated in the House now.
On a point of information, what is meant by saying it is proposed to discharge the orders for Nos. 14 and 15?
It is a formality.
On a point of order——
No. 15.
If the Deputy consults his own Whip he can get whatever priority he can establish for his purpose.
On a point of order, before the Taoiseach goes, I am long enough in the House to know that if any Deputy has a matter to raise concerning or connected with the Order of Business, he is entitled to do so provided it is on the Order of Business.
Deputy Enright has a query arising from the Order of Business and I respectfully submit, realising the grave need for some type of parliamentary reform, that Deputy Enright is entitled to be heard on this issue. I should be pleased if the Chair Would give him the necessary facilities in that regard.
Deputy Flanagan has already raised the question envisaged by Deputy Enright. The matter has been disposed of, the Taoiseach has replied to Deputy Flanagan and the Chair has no further responsibility.
I am speaking for Deputy Enright. Deputy Enright has a query to put to the Taoiseach arising from the Order of Business and I think the Chair would be unreasonable, and seldom is the Chair unreasonable, may I add, not to permit Deputy Enright to put his query to the Taoiseach. The Chair is not entitled to anticipate what Deputy Enright's query is and until he hears Deputy Enright's query he cannot give a ruling on it.
Deputy Enright put his query and got his reply.
Deputy Enright was speaking when the Taoiseach rose to walk out.
Would the Taoiseach not permit time for a special debate on this?
I have already answered that question. The Deputy has a motion down and if he wants priority he can get it through his own Whip.
(Interruptions.)
It is up to the Deputies to persuade their own Whip and their own party.