I always thought there was a question as to whether a Parliamentary Secretary was entitled to move a Second Reading of a Bill. I am not making any issue of it but merely to have the matter clarified.
Telephone Capital Bill, 1977: First Stage.
Leave granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to provide further moneys for the development of the public telephone system and for other purposes connected therewith.
—(Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach).
This is not the Second Reading, Sir.
I think that applies to Estimates.
When is it proposed to circulate the Bill, when is it likely to be taken and when is it intended to have it completed?
The Minister tells me the Bill will be circulated today or tomorrow and he wants me to ask the House to fix the Second Stage, subject to agreement, for this day week.
When is it proposed to have the Bill completed in this House and through the Seanad?
These things can never be predicted.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary give a guess?
Could the Parliamentary Secretary indicate the scope of the Bill so that we might be able to gauge ourselves how long it is likely to take, whether it will go to the end of the Summer Recess or to October?
This Government will deliver that Bill as soon as possible.
Is this another of the package of goodies, promises and things of that nature now being announced in profusion?
This Government have nothing to apologise about in that regard having spent as much in the last four years on telephones as was spent in the previous 70.
As a result of us getting them into the Common Market so that they have the ready capital available.
What is involved here is agreement on a date for the next Stage. This day week is suggested. Is that agreed?
Yes, agreed, subject to the usual conditions.
Second Stage ordered for Wednesday, 25th May, 1977.