While the papers are being distributed might I mention another matter? The House will recollect that yesterday, at my suggestion, Senator O'Farrell was good enough to fall in with what I invited him to do, to put off his motion on the paper yesterday until to-day. He did that because I suggested to him that it would be impossible for the Minister, owing to the proceedings in the Dáil, to attend yesterday, and the House then agreed the motion should stand over until to-day. In the meantime, the expected conclusion of the debate yesterday has not arisen. The debate is still going on and it will be necessary for the Minister for Industry and Commerce to be in his place in the other House to-day. He is here now and I understand he is in a position to make a statement that perhaps Senator O'Farrell might like to hear before he opens his motion. I have not the faintest notion of what it is, but it was rather suggested to me by the Minister that perhaps it would be better for the Senator to hear it and it would be certainly convenient for the Minister if he were allowed to make it now, because then he could depart in peace to a less serene atmosphere. I do not know whether Senator O'Farrell would think that a reasonable suggestion or not. He is entitled to proceed with his motion without giving place to the Minister, but it occurred to me it would be an advantage to him if he heard what the Minister had to say.
SENATOR O'FARRELL'S MOTION—MINISTER'S STATEMENT.
CATHAOIRLEACH
I should like to say a few words at this stage. Apparently the Cathaoirleach has been misinformed as to why I came here. I came here to make a further appeal to the Seanad. With regard to one thing the position has been accurately stated by Lord Glenavy, namely, that I have to attend the Dáil to-day and it would not be possible for me, in consequence of that, to make a statement such as would be warranted by the motion of Senator O'Farrell. I do not want to delay the motion. What I want to do is to ask the Seanad to reserve their vote until I shall be able to make a statement prior to their voting. Senator O'Farrell said yesterday evening that the patient should be here while the medicine was being administered. That is not possible, but I should like to turn up here to show whether it was a poisonous draught or a tonic. I should like to make a statement before the motion is put. If the Senators think of going on without my presence I do not object. I do not even say that it is not desirable, but I should like the House not to take a vote without allowing me to make a statement.
When will the Minister be able to make a statement?
It is not possible for me to forecast the affairs of the other House, but as far as I can see it is not likely that the other House will drag on the debate beyond to-day. If the Seanad were to sit to-morrow I could make a statement. Is there any business for to-morrow?
CATHAOIRLEACH
There would be some business for us to-morrow. We could go through the Committee Stages of those less important Bills if we had a sitting to-morrow and if it were convenient to the House I could ask them to meet here at 11 o'clock to-morrow.
I hope the Minister's statement is not based on a false prophecy which might upset us to-morrow.
I cannot control what is happening in the other House, but I understand the President hopes to take a division to-night or some hour early to-morrow morning. The matter will then be out of the way before the Seanad sits.
CATHAOIRLEACH
We shall give the Minister an opportunity of speaking on the debate, not indeed to reply, as Senator O'Farrell has the right to reply. To facilitate the Minister we could meet at 11.30 to-morrow.
Or take it on the next ordinary day of business.
CATHAOIRLEACH
I am afraid the next day will not be an ordinary day of business. The next day will probably be a day on which we will have business outside the usual business and therefore the Seanad might not be satisfied to break in upon the business that we may have to do that day.
Are you asking us to meet on Monday?
CATHAOIRLEACH
By meeting to-morrow at 11 o'clock we could dispense with having a meeting on Monday.
My only objection to meeting to-morrow is that the notice is so short and knowing nothing about it other Senators like myself may have engagements for that hour. I should like to be present at the debate to-morrow but it would be perfectly impossible for me to be present to-morrow at 11 or 11.30. I could be present in the afternoon but not in the morning.
CATHAOIRLEACH
If it would equally suit the convenience of the Seanad I suggest 3.30 to-morrow. I mention 3.30 because I have a public engagement which would not permit me to be here to-morrow at 3 o'clock. Would 3.30 suit the Seanad?
Would not 3.30 to-morrow be too late in the afternoon?
CATHAOIRLEACH
I could not attend at 3 o'clock, as I have an engagement.
It would be exceptionally hard on country people to attend here at 3.30 p.m.
I do not suppose that a day or two will make much difference, unless the Minister has something to give us or something to propose that would solve this problem. In that event I would be prepared to come at any time.