On a point of order, before we proceed any further, may I say that it is now 10 o'clock? It was indicated earlier in the evening that we would wait and see at 10 o'clock at what hour it was proposed to adjourn. The normal time for adjourning is 10 o'clock. In view of the fact that tomorrow is a holiday of obligation, and many people have domestic commitments in relation to their religious duties on that day, I want to enquire whether it is proposed to adjourn at this Stage.
Electoral (Amendment) Bill, 1961. - Business of Seanad.
These are matters that ought to be arranged outside the House. They are not matters for the Chair.
At 6 o'clock, precisely four hours ago, I made an announcement to the House that I withdrew my opposition to the adjournment for the tea break, on the ground that agrement had been reached with Senator O'Donovan, the deputy leader of the main Opposition Party, that the business on the Order Paper would be cleared tonight. I propose to adhere strictly to that agreement.
I want to protest most vehemently that we are being compelled to sit here beyond 10 o'clock. I want to go further than that. As the Leader of the House is aware, the Dáil sat at 10.30 o'clock this morning and the inadequate reporting staff have been on duty since that time until now, 10 o'clock. I do not think the members of this House ought to ask any members of its staff to work a 12-hour day.
Having heard the Senator, I now propose to proceed with this Bill.
Is it in order to inquire if that is what we are going to do?
These are matters that ought to be decided outside the House. They are not matters the Chair can decide.
This is an agreement by the House on which there was no opposition from that side at 6 o'clock when I announced the proposals.
There certainly was.
If the Fine Gael Party are so undisciplined that they will not now honour arrangements made by their deputy leader, I propose we go ahead with the business.
The Cathaoirleach said we would wait and see at 10 o'clock. Those were the last words on the subject as the Official Report will undoubtedly show.
It is quite obvious we will sit till three or four o'clock in the morning.
Senator Donegan has finished his private business. He was not here all the evening.
I had a good reason for being absent.
Electoral Amendment Bill, 1961, in Committee.
On a point of order, am I right in saying that a Standing Order of this House provides that we adjourn at 10 o'clock, unless——
Subject always to agreement.
There was no such agreement.
There was an agreement announced at 6 o'clock. I insist that agreement be honoured.
It is usual to adjourn at 10 o'clock but there is no order to that effect.
Is it proposed to depart from the normal order without taking the opinion of the House?
It is proposed to proceed and finish the programme agreed upon with the deputy leader of the Opposition.
Does that mean that in addition to the Electoral Bill, we dispose of the Charities Bill tonight?
Yes. That is the programme agreed upon and it is time Fine Gael learned to keep their agreements.
There was no such agreement Fine Gael have always observed their agreements, national and international.
They will observe this one.