It is proposed to take No. 9. Private Members' Business will be taken from 7 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. No. 38, by agreement.
Order of Business.
Might I ask the Taoiseach when it is proposed to order Estimates, having regard to the fact that there has been a very considerable reduction in the amount of time given to them in the last few years? The number of hours given in 1972 was 220, and each year since then it has decreased to 182, 144, 118 and last year to only 56 hours, approximately a quarter of what was given in 1972.
The Deputy is aware that this Dáil has sat longer than any previous Dáil and that more time has been given to Private Members' Business in this Dáil than in the previous two or three. In addition, more time has been spent on legislation. Unless constructive proposals emanate from the Opposition as to how the time can be divided up otherwise, I do not know how the time can be given for Estimates. Other business has absorbed all the time, and, in the main, at the discretion of the Opposition.
Are we to take it from that that in the circumstances in which the Taoiseach finds himself, his approach is to reduce steadily the time given to Estimates? That is what has happened. If this is to continue for any length of time, which fortunately it will not, we will end up with no Estimates at all. This might be in conformity with the approach of the the Taoiseach and some of his colleagues who obviously wish to avoid scrutiny of expenditure like the expenditure by the Minister for Labour which we have just heard about.
The Deputy is aware that the Opposition last year complained about the amount of time spent on Estimates. The Leader of the Opposition complained that they were getting only Estimates. Apparently Deputy Colley takes a different view. If the Deputies opposite want to exchange Private Members' Business for Estimates, I am willing to consider that favourably.
At the time I complained that only Estimates were coming before the Dáil there was no legislation whatever.
Deputies over there are always whining about something.
(Interruptions.)
Order.
May we take it that as far as the Taoiseach is concerned, if the Opposition propose to take up the time available to them for Private Members' Business under the Standing Orders, he proposes to reduce steadily the time available for Estimates in which he, as Leader of the Government, ought to have as much interest as the Opposition to see that they are properly dealt with in the House?
Which way does the Deputy want it? I am prepared to give time for estimates if Deputies opposite will relinquish the unprecedentedly long time being given for Private Members' Business which was never given before by any Government in any Dáil as much as in this Dáil or in two or three Dáil combined. I am prepared to exchange one for the other for consideration by the Opposition whichever way they want it. Last year Deputy Lynch as Leader of the Opposition was complaining that too much time was given to Estimates.
Three years ago. The Taoiseach should be accurate.
Now Deputy Colley is complaining that not enough time is being given, and all the time Deputies opposite want extra Private Members' time which has been given by the Government. They cannot have it both ways.
Let us get on with the business of the House.
Is the Taoiseach saying now that he has conceded extra time for Private Members' Business in the knowledge that it will take him off the hook of having to bring Estimates into the House?
I am not on any hook.