It has been intimated to me that all stages of the Offences Against the State Bill will be concluded in the Dáil this evening, and that the Bill will reach the Seanad to-night. In the circumstances, I understand that the Government is desirous that the Seanad should meet to-morrow to consider the Bill. If the House were agreeable to convenience the Government in the matter, I suggest that perhaps a suitable hour for meeting to-morrow would be 12 noon. But it is, of course, for the House itself to say: first, whether it will meet to-morrow; and, secondly, what the hour shall be. I shall be glad to hear the views of Senators on these points.
Business of the Seanad.
Would it not be possible to sit late to-night and get the whole thing finished?
We are not in a position to say definitely at what hour we will receive the Bill from the Dáil.
We will agree to meet to-morrow.
I think there is no objection to meeting to-morrow to transact the business. From the point of view of country members, I think there is a desire to have the meeting at an early hour. Perhaps we could agree to make an order now to meet to-morrow, leaving the hour to be fixed and announced by you Sir, later? Would that meet with the convenience of everybody?
Then we will decide to meet to-morrow, the hour to be fixed later?
Agreed.
I understand that there is a desire that business should be suspended this evening at 6.30 for an hour, to enable Senators engaged in the debate on the Emergency Powers Bill to partake of tea. If that is the wish of the House, business will accordingly be suspended at 6.30 p.m. and will be resumed at 7.30 p.m.
Agreed.