It is proposed to take business in the following order: No. 17 (Votes 48 and 26) and No. 3, No. 3 to be taken in conjunction with Vote 48.
Order of Business.
Is the Taoiseach not moving the writ?
The Deputy is being facetious.
Can the Taoiseach tell us what is likely to be the business for the remainder of the session?
In the remainder of this session it is proposed to take business as follows: all Stages of the Finance Bill, which will implement the budget proposals; the VAT Bill, the Social Welfare Bill, which will implement the social welfare aspects of the budget proposals; the Local Elections Bill, which is now at Committee Stage, the Immature Spirits Bill, which also is at Committee Stage; the Amendment of the Constitution Bill, to allow for a referendum in relation to votes at 18; a registration Bill, which will deal inter alia with Lourdes marriages; and a local loans Bill, which has yet to come before the House and which I think is a very short one. It is hoped to introduce and proceed as far as possible with the following Bills: the Bill dealing with EEC legislation, the Drugs Bill, Rates on Agricultural Land (Relief) Bill and the Trade Unions Amalgamation Bill. The Minister has undertaken to introduce the latter but it may not be ready for Second Reading. It is proposed also to introduce a Bill dealing with minimum notice and termination of employment. There are three motions, one dealing with secondary teachers' superannuation scheme, a similar motion to deal with national teachers and also a social welfare motion which it is hoped to take in conjunction with the Social Welfare Bill to which I have referred already.
Will the EEC Bill be introduced only?
It is in the second category. If possible, it will be given a Second Reading.
Is the Bill ready for circulation?
It is not quite ready but I expect it will be introduced next week.
In the event of the Bill not being ready is it proposed to have a debate before the end of this session on the Treaty accession?
I have not considered that but I was hopeful that we might have that debate with the Bill.
Surely if it is introduced the Second Stage could be taken.
In the event of it not being introduced, what will be the position?
Should the Bill not be introduced the position would be considered then.
I take it that we will be allowed reasonable time between the introduction of the Bill and its Second Reading because the Bill will be an elaborate one.
I do not think it will be elaborate.
It will have far-reaching consequences.
Yes, its consequences will be elaborate.