It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 2 and 3 in that order and to suspend the sitting from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. No. 1 involves the completion of the Status of Children Bill and Nos. 2 and 3 are Seanad discussions of reports of joint committees.
Order of Business.
Yesterday, as you know, I raised the issue of debating the crisis in the public finances but was ruled out of order. As there appears to be no procedure which works in the matter of debating in this House emergency issues of this sort I wonder if the Leader of the House would consider giving Government time — something which I am sure would have the support of other parties in this House — for debating the crisis which exists day in and day out and is becoming worse so far as the public finances are concerned?
May I draw attention to the fact that the intercom system did not seem to be working yesterday?
There was a breakdown, it is working here anyway now, whatever about throughout the House.
With regard to the request which has been made by Senator Ross that Government time should be given to the discussion of public finances I have two remarks to make. First, he said there seems to be no way of raising this question. I would like to point out that the Independent group had the choice of topic for discussion in Private Members' Time during the past two weeks. It was perfectly open to them to choose that subject. They did not choose that particular subject. Secondly, there is a large amount of Government legislation before us. I do not see any reason whatsoever for that legislation being delayed in order to have a debate on the public finances. I fail to be persuaded that a debate in this House would improve the public finances. I say that particularly when I remember that Senator Ross recalled this House from its recess in order to debate the public finances on a former occasion having put the country to the expense this involves.
With the support of Senator Dooge and the Fine Gael Party.
Having decided this was so important he then withdrew the motion he had put down.
On a point of fact that was withdrawn because there could not be unanimous support for that motion within this House. I point out that that was done with the full support of the Taoiseach of the day, of Senator Dooge and of the whole Fine Gael Party in this House.
You have already spoken on this.
It might help Senator Ross to know that the Fianna Fáil Party's next motion will be on the subject. He will have time to contribute then.