It is proposed to take item No. 1 today and to take it until 4.30 p.m. with the Minister coming in not later than 4 o'clock.
Order of Business.
I do not wish to be troublesome but I would like to ask if there is any further development with regard to item No. 35. I ask this because I noticed that on Tuesday in the Dáil there was a suggestion that the constitutional difficulties relating to the patent situation could be satisfied by the inclusion of a referendum with the European elections. I wonder if the Leader of the House could give us an indication? I raise this again because of continuing pressure from commercial concerns who are worried about employment in the event that this situation with regard to the ratification at the European Patent Convention is not satisfied rapidly.
I will check with the Minister in connection with item No. 35. This item has been mentioned on numerous occasions and, as Senator Norris said, there is a constitutional difficulty regarding the ratifying of this convention. I will check and see what is the situation.
Order of Business agreed to.