I think it might be desirable to postpone this election until to-morrow for this reason: this Committee under the Standing Orders has to be elected on the principles of proportional representation, and, consequently, the voting and the counting of votes are a little embarrassing, and take time. I do not think the voting could be concluded to-day before the termination of our business. In that connection I would like to ask Senator O'Farrell, particularly, and also other Senators present, what their wish is with regard to a motion on the paper that stands in his name. The reason I refer to it is that Mr. McGilligan the Minister for Industry and Commerce, desired to attend on this motion. He is otherwise engaged and cannot possibly leave the deliberations of the Dáil to-day. I think we can appreciate and understand his position in that regard. He is very anxious not in any way to inconvenience the House or inconvenience Senator O'Farrell, and if the Senator could see his way to allow the motion to stand until to-morrow, we could then, while the motion is being discussed, have this voting take place for the Committee of Selection. The officials could count the votes and declare the result during the sitting to-morrow. Of course, I am not seeking to put the slightest pressure on Senator O'Farrell, because he is entitled to make his motion if he wishes, but Mr. McGilligan told me that he could not be here to-day.
APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEE OF SELECTION.
CATHAOIRLEACH
If there is an understanding that we will meet to-morrow, it is my desire that the motion will not be discussed except in the presence of the Minister. It is a motion on which we feel very keenly, and we would like the patient to be present, at least, while the medicine is being administered. With your permission I would like an adjournment until to-morrow.
CATHAOIRLEACH
Then Senators will understand that they are meeting to-morrow at three o'clock. While we are discussing the question of our meeting to-morrow I would like Senators to bear in mind the possibility that they may be asked to meet here on Monday next.
I would like to point out that Monday is a very inconvenient day.
CATHAOIRLEACH
I am aware of that. I shall do my best to make it as little inconvenient to every Senator as possible, but we are rapidly approaching the Christmas Recess. We probably will have a full week's work next week, and I am sure Senators are anxious that we should not be rushed up to Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. The House will understand that, but I shall arrange if possible in order to suit Senator MacLoughlin that we will take merely the Stages of Bills upon Monday, leaving the important business, if it comes to us in time, because there is important business as you all know, waiting. If that comes to us I would suggest to the House that we should devote Tuesday and, if necessary. Wednesday to it, and that we should meet on Monday for the purpose of getting rid of other matters that are not of such pressing importance.
In regard to the appointment of the Committee of Selection, I would suggest that the voting should take place this evening, because you may take it as an absolute certainty that it will take four hours to count the votes under proportional representation.
CATHAOIRLEACH
On the last occasion we did it in one and a half hours.
On the occasion of selecting candidates for the Seanad in the Dáil, there were only 101 votes cast, and it took eight solid hours to deliver the goods.
CATHAOIRLEACH
It is a great tribute to our staff that we were able to do it in an hour and a half.
Is it understood that no contentious matter will be taken on Monday?
CATHAOIRLEACH
I do not know whether you will consider any of the Bills that are to come before us on Monday contentious. I think we should be able to take the Committee Stage of a good many of these Bills. A good many of them are non-contentious. I do not say that any Senators may not wish to amend them, but they are not calculated, I think, to arouse any heated feeling.