It is proposed to take Nos. 1 and 2. As regards No. 1 it is proposed that the Report and Final Stages of the Bill be concluded by 1 p.m.
Order of Business.
It is agreed that we conclude the Bill at 1 o'clock, have our vote and terminate this situation. The Wealth Tax Bill debate will start after lunch.
We will break from 1 o'clock to 2.30 for lunch.
That is on the presumption that the debate lasts until 1 o'clock.
Yes.
After last night's performance that will be relatively easy.
The Wealth Tax Bill debate will take place at 2.30 p.m. That is the arrangement with the Minister.
Before you conclude the Order of Business, Sir, could I have a moment to refer briefly to something that might be of interest to Senators? I want to draw their attention to the fact that today marks a modest milestone in the history of Seanad Éireann. With today's sitting the Seanad has exceeded the highest number of previous sittings in its history. I pointed out earlier in the year that the highest number of sittings ever before in the history of the Seanad was in 1933, when the Seanad met 51 times. Senators will have noticed that today is the 52nd sitting this year. I think the occasion should not pass without comment.
I should also like to mention something about the hours of sitting. When in 1933 the Seanad sat 51 times, the number of hours it sat then was 211. This year we have already sat for over 390 hours. I mention this as a matter of interest to Senators and also as a reassurance to them that the Government have acceded to their request to give the upper House more business in future.
The House is very grateful to Senator Sanfey for his record keeping.
If I am required to conclude on the Order of Business, in view of those statistics the hope I would express is that someone might form an organisation, whether anonymous or not, to deal with the problem of the compulsive talker.