Might I take advantage of this sos to bring to the notice of the House that the business up to now has taken longer than anybody really thought when we agreed on the Order of Business this morning? I said yesterday that we did not wish to rush the House in regard to the Social Welfare Bill, and therefore perhaps we should reconsider our position. I would suggest to the House that we should decide that we would sit this evening until the conclusion of the Second Stage of the Social Welfare Bill. We should agree that that should be completed and we should sit until that is completed, or until 5 o'clock, whichever is the later. If it is completed before 5 o'clock, we could get another small amount of business by 5 o'clock and we should then adjourn until next Tuesday.
Business of Seanad.
I thank the Leader of the House for making the proposition he has made because I think the Social Welfare Bill deserves the full consideration of the House. The suggestion he has made is indicative of his concern for this House, that if we finish the Second Stage this evening we will take the Committee Stages on Tuesday. That would be more than agreeable to us. Because of the nature of the Social Welfare Bill and its implications, I thank the Leader of the House for that particular suggestion. I hope the House will agree to the suggestion he has made.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
Will the House adjourn at 5 p.m.?
My suggestion is that we should agree to complete the Second Stage of the Social Welfare Bill today. If that is completed before 5 p.m., we might start on the Telecommunications Bill to save ourselves having to sit late on next Tuesday. If we come to 5 p.m. and have not finished the Social Welfare Bill, we should complete the Second Stage today. That is my suggestion.
When the Leader of the House talks about sitting on Tuesday, does he mean on Tuesday morning or at 2.30 p.m.?
I am in the hands of Senators. I would have thought that perhaps Members would prefer to travel up on Tuesday morning, for 2.30 p.m., those of them who are members of local authorities, and others who normally make arrangements to be busy at home on a Monday. I suggest 2.30 p.m., but this could be discussed between the representatives of the groups.
I concur with the suggestion of the Leader of the House has made. If the Whips can get together and decide as between 10.30 a.m., or 2.30 p.m., the majority will probably go for the 2.30 p.m., start on Tuesday, but we should leave it in the hands of the Whips.
On the Business of the Seanad that I have indicated we will have three Bills to be considered, in the case of any ambiguity, I would not anticipate that Private Members' Business will be taken on Tuesday.