It is proposed to take business as on the Order Paper: No. 1 and No. 2.
Order of Business.
Could the Senator tell us what the programme is before the recess, please?
I hope we will get the concurrence of the House in the suggested procedure by which we propose to deal with all the business with which we have to deal. It is hoped to deal with the Second Stage of the Finance Bill today and with the Committee Stage and other Stages tomorrow. On Wednesday 24th Thursday 25th and Friday 26th it is hoped to take the following Bills—the Appropriation Bill, Superannuation and Pensions Bill, Social Welfare Bill, Shannon Free Airport Development Company Bill and the two motions, one on elections and the other on secondary teachers. Then on Wednesday 31st it is proposed to take the Second Stage of the Planning Bill and to continue that on Thursday; and in the following week, Wednesday, 7th August and Thursday, 8th August, to deal with the remaining Stages of the Planning Bill.
Taking the main point first, before we deal with the Finance Bill today we would be prepared to agree that every thing that arises out of the Budget should be done; that is, the Finance Bill, the Appropriation Bill, the Social Welfare Bill. The Superannuation Bill has got a Second Reading and we would be prepared to finish it, and also the Shannon Free Airport Development Bill. Neither of the two motions is contentious. With regard to the Planning Bill, it is an enormous Bill of very great interest. It has been dealt with at great length in the Dáil and, it is fair to say, with great reasonableness. It is not fair that we should be asked to do it now, in view of the fact that we have people in this House who are highly skilled in this matter who have not had an adequate opportunity of discussing it. However, next Wednesday we shall take the Second Stage and then decide what is to be done about it. It is a very good example of a Bill which should have been introduced in this House where there are skilled people. It was circulated this time twelve months and will be finished in the Dáil—when?
It will be finished today.
If this measure had been introduced in the Seanad it would have had a good run here and would have been back in the Dáil. We would then have received it back from the Dáil on Fourth Stage. There would have been only one discussion, perhaps two or three hours. It is another example of how this House could be put to much greater use for the relief of the Dáil and save us from the position we are now in. However, except with regard to the Planning Bill, we agree to do all other business. With regard to the Finance Bill today, all I can say about that is that we can only do our best, but I am not in control of everybody who speaks.