According to order, as agreed this morning, we should not be resuming the Wealth Tax Bill. I understand the Whip of our Party requested the Parliamentary Secretary to agree, in view of the fact that we had curtailed the budget debate, to allow us to proceed with the Wealth Tax Bill and to give us that much extra time for it, but that he did not receive any reply from the Parliamentary Secretary. May I take it from the announcement that it has been agreed?
Financial Resolutions, 1975. - Business of Dáil.
The Deputy has not been following the business of the House properly. I announced here three-quarters of an hour ago that it was agreed by the Government, without question, hesitation or anything else, that the Wealth Tax Bill would continue.
One of the problems we have had up to now has been that the Government would informally notify the Opposition with regard to a request of that nature. I got no notification.
The Deputy was not in the House. I do not want to bring the informal and friendly atmosphere of either Whips through the body of the House, but two or three hours ago Deputy Lalor and myself were talking about the business of the evening and he asked me what would happen when the budget debate concluded at 7.15 or 7.30. I said there might be an SOS and he said "what about going on with the Wealth Tax Bill?" I said "Right, we will go on with the Wealth Tax", and that is what we are doing.
You did not say that.
I did say that.
The Parliamentary Secretary said he would give us plenty of work. He has ordered only six-and-a-half hours for tommorrow.
Let us get on with the business of the House.