I wonder if the Minister for Industry and Commerce could assist me in arranging the hour for the meeting of the Seanad on Friday. In connection with the meeting of the Dáil on Friday I understand that a motion has been tabled there suggesting a conference between the two Houses over the Intoxicating Liquor Bill. It seems to me that if that motion is taken in the Dáil it will be reached before 1 o'clock and what I have in mind is that the Seanad should meet on Friday at 1 o'clock.
RAILWAYS (DIRECTORATE) BILL, 1924. - THE NEXT MEETING.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
There has been a big divergence of opinion in the Dáil on the two outstanding points in connection with the Liquor Bill. The Dáil, I understand, will meet at 12, and as Questions may take half an hour, that would leave only half an hour for the consideration of the motion that is down for discussion. If it would suit Senators, perhaps 3 o'clock would be a more suitable hour for the Seanad to meet, as that would certainly give the Dáil a better opportunity of concluding that part of the business.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
What I had in mind in suggesting the earlier hour is this, that if a motion of that kind is passed in the Dáil, a similar motion will have to be passed here. Then the Conference will have to meet, and we would have to adjourn until the Conference was ready to report. What I had in mind was that if we assembled at 1 o'clock, and if this motion had been passed in the Dáil, we could then pass a motion to the same effect and adjourn until 3.
It is beyond doubt that the motion will have been moved in the Dáil by 1 o'clock. If the Seanad is prepared to go on the lines suggested by you, sir, it would probably suit better—I am speaking now from the point of view of the Dáil— that you did meet about 1 o'clock.
I understand that on Friday we shall have up for consideration the Port and Docks Bill from the Dáil.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
My information is that we will not be troubled with that Bill on this side of Christmas. If there is no objection, I now declare the Seanad adjourned until 1 o'clock, p.m., on Friday next.
The Seanad adjourned at 5.35 p.m., until 1 p.m., on Friday, the 19th December.