We have received from the Dáil the following Bills:— Approved Investments (Amendment) Bill, 1935; Unemployment Assistance (Amendment) Bill, 1935; Diseases of Animals Bill, 1935; and Agricultural Produce (Fresh Meat) (Amendment) Bill, 1935. I understand that we shall receive the following other Bills this week:—Rates on Agricultural Land (Relief) (No. 2) Bill, 1935; Fisheries (Tidal Waters) (Amendment) Bill, 1935; and Fisheries Bill, 1935. I am informed that it is not likely that we shall receive any other Bills from the Dáil before the Summer Recess. The Bills I have mentioned do not seem to be of a contentious nature, and I think we might be able to put them through all their stages next week, but if any Senator thinks we are likely to have contentious amendments to any of these Bills, we might meet on Tuesday, in order to give an extra day for their discussion. Senators need scarcely be reminded that the following week is Horse Show Week, and it is desirable to leave it free, if possible, although we have frequently sat during that week in other years. I would ask the House if they would agree to meet on Tuesday so that we could complete our business next week.
Private Business. - Business of the Seanad.
There is one Bill, and there may be others, in which the group that sits here is particularly interested. It is the Unemployment Assistance (Amendment) Bill. By virtue of their annual gathering, which will be held next week, I think that pretty well the whole of us will be away, and I think it would be reasonable to suggest that the discussion of that Bill be deferred until the following week.
The contention of Senator Johnson is very proper. If they cannot be here, it does seem hard not to give them an opportunity of discussing the Bill, and perhaps it would be well if we met in Horse Show Week to discuss it.
So far as we are concerned, the week after Horse Show Week would suit.
That might upset the Dáil time-table.
I think so.
I think it is reasonable that we should sit during Horse Show Week to discuss this Bill, if the House will agree.
We could adjourn next week altogether and meet in Horse Show Week.
We would have a tremendous lot of work to carry through in that week. It would be better to get all the work, except the Unemployment Assistance Bill, dealt with.
Would it be possible to have that Bill brought forward and discussed this week, by any chance? That would enable Senator Johnson and his friends to be free, and, possibly, other members of the House free for the Horse Show.
The Second Stage, yes, but not the Committee Stage.
There is another element which should not be overlooked. It is the question of the staffs who are going to be held at work until the two Houses finally adjourn.
I do not think we could take it this week under our Standing Orders.
As far as we are concerned, we will not mind if the Unemployment Assistance Bill is postponed for a considerable time.
What is the opinion of the House? Shall we come back the week after this for that Bill?
Yes.
I am afraid you will not get a House then.
It will give Senators an opportunity of dealing with the Bill and coming to the Horse Show.
Then the House will take that Bill in Horse Show Week. Will that suit the Government?
I presume it will. Anything that suits the House will have to suit the Government.
Is it the intention to take the Final Stages of the other Bills next week? Some of them are very important.
If we have time, we will try to do so.
Can I object to the taking of all stages of these Bills next week, if we have not time to deal with them?
Yes.
I suggest that if the House sits on Horse Show Week it might meet early in the day, so that Senators would be free to go to the Horse Show in the evening. The House might meet at 11 a.m. instead of 3 o'clock.
We will decide that next week. We will cogitate severely during the next six days. I do not think, under these circumstances, the House need meet next Tuesday. We will follow the ordinary custom and meet next Wednesday.