I move: "That the Second Stage be ordered for Tuesday, 29 June 1982" subject to agreement between the Whips.
Gas (Amendment) Bill, 1982: Order for Second Stage.
Bill entitled an Act to amend and extend the Gas Acts, 1976 and 1980.
Is that agreed?
No, not agreed. I am sorry, but this Bill has not yet been circulated. I could not accept Second Stage for next Tuesday. I know it is only a formality and I want to explain that, but the last time I agreed to the moving of the Second Stage of a Bill like this — it was the Distribution of Fuels Bill the week before last — I made the point at the time, and the Taoiseach agreed with me, that it was only agreed subject to agreement between the Whips. Yet it appears on the Order Paper for this week.
The Whips must have agreed.
I am sorry. I cannot accept even the formality of a Reading of a Bill which has not yet been circulated.
But we must have some provisional date down.
Why not make it Tuesday week, then? Will the Bill be circulated in that time?
On the other question of the Distribution of Fuels (Control) Bill, I am aware of what Deputy P. Barry is saying. I understand that Deputy Barry suggested that it would not be taken today but that it would be taken tomorrow. I understood it was agreed that the Distribution of Fuels (Control) Bill would be taken tomorrow, not today.
It was so agreed.
I am sorry, then it is my fault.
Tuesday week, then, subject to agreement between the Whips?
When will it be circulated?
This week.
Does that mean next Saturday or does it mean ——
We shall have it out as early as possible.
I think the house will appreciate my reluctance to give a commitment on that kind of an answer.
Is the Minister satisfied that it be Tuesday week, subject to agreement between the Whips?
(Dún Laoghaire): We have indicated our willingness, through the Government Whip, to take any Bill the Government may wish to bring forward provided we are given adequate notice of its circulation and have actual possession so that we can discuss it. There is a possibility of things being brought up we have not yet seen. It has already been pointed out to the Government that we are not in agreement with that until we actually receive a Bill.
No problem.
Can some date be agreed subject to agreement between the Whips? Tuesday week then, subject to agreement between the Whips.
Question: "That Second Stage be ordered for Tuesday, 5 July 1982," put and agreed to.