Seanad Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 19 Dec 1956

Vol. 46 No. 17

Order of Business.

Professor Hayes

It is proposed to take Items 1 and 2 on the agenda and to open the debate on Item 6 with, also, a statement from the Minister for Defence and then adjourn the debate.

It is also proposed to take the Committee and further Stages of the two Money Bills, the Finance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill and the Industrial Grants Bill and for that purpose, of course, recommendations will be accepted as late as possible if Senators desire to move them. It is proposed then to adjourn until January 16th for the consideration of the Voluntary Health Insurance Bill, the Statute of Limitations Bill and the Married Women's Status Bill. I think if we give precedence to Motion No. 6, Senator Tierney's motion will have to preserve its position on the Order Paper after the adjournment.

Mr. Cogan

On the Order of Business —I gave notice that I would like to raise a question in connection with the slowing down of the Land Project and the dismissal of a number of men employed thereon. I wished to ask the Minister if he would be prepared to make additional allocations for that purpose. You have conveyed to me, a Chathaoirleach, that you have ruled this out but I would like you to reconsider it, in view of the urgent need to keep this work going. In my county and in adjoining counties, there has been considerable slowing down of the work and a great number of men have been dismissed.

Minister for Finance (Mr. Sweetman)

If it would influence you in your decision, Sir, I intend to refer to that matter very briefly.

An Cathaoirleach

I have no knowledge of the Minister's intentions in this matter, but the fact is that the Senator presented me with the question this morning and, on investigation, it was quite clear that the substance of the Senator's question had been replied to in Dáil Éireann last week. I, therefore, referred the Senator to the reply given by the Minister and, in view of that reply, it seemed to me that the matter which he desired to raise had been, in essentials, discussed in the other House. Accordingly, I indicated to the Senator that I did not think it was a matter that ought to be raised. That is my ruling on the matter and the matter ends there.

Mr. Cogan

Might I respectfully submit——

An Cathaoirleach

The Chair has ruled on this matter.

Mr. Cogan

I accept that.