(Dún Laoghaire): Following consultations with the Opposition Whip it has been agreed that we will proceed this evening with Estimates already ordered this morning. The Estimate to be taken tonight will be Trade, Commerce and Tourism, followed by Justice. Debate on Estimates will continue tomorrow. This is one of the few occasions on which the Dáil has managed to debate most of the Estimates and I should like to thank the Opposition for facilitating us and seeing to it that the Estimates are properly debated. Unfortunately on some of the Estimates we did not have sufficient time but the fact that we have managed to get through the bulk of them is an achievement. I thank the Opposition for their co-operation.
Business of Dáil.
We are pleased that we are continuing with debate rather than adjourning for the week. The Estimates for Public Services were ordered this morning but the Votes were not in, so we could not have continued. The Votes must be listed before they can be taken. We have now agreed to take the Estimates for Trade, Commerce and Tourism and Justice, and both will conclude tonight. It is the first time that all the Estimates have gone through on debate in this House and it shows that we have been in full agreement. The important point is that by agreeing on the rest of the business rather than doing it in any other way, the all-party committees and everything else will be taken next week. We are not an obstructive Opposition and we are glad to be back to completing the business of the session in an orderly way.
(Dún Laoghaire): It was agreed that the Estimate for Trade, Commerce and Tourism would conclude at 8.30 this evening and would be followed by the Estimate for Justice. Perhaps the Opposition Whip and I could see how that debate is going before deciding whether it should continue tomorrow.
Is it agreed that we take Item No. 8, Vote 40, followed by the Estimate for Justice, and that debate on the Estimate for Trade, Commerce and Tourism will conclude at 8.30 p.m.?
Agreed.