As it is approaching 8.30 p.m., I would like to consider the timing of our further consideration of this Bill and the Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003. I propose we consider the Immigration Bill 2002 tomorrow from 9.30 a.m. until 4 p.m. with a sos for lunch at a suitable time. The Minister is able to take that Bill. I suggest the Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003 be taken at 4.15 p.m. As the Minister is unavailable after 4 p.m., I understand it will be taken by the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law, Deputy Brian Lenihan. I propose we continue to consider the Immigration Bill 2002 on Friday from 11 a.m. at which time I understand the Minister will have returned from his business away from the House. He is prepared to take that Bill.
Business of Select Committee.
What about the arrangement with the Garda college at Templemore? Has it been cancelled?
A significant amount of time has been set aside tomorrow to deal with the Immigration Bill 2002. We hope it may be possible to complete that Bill in that time. I am sure the Garda college will be able to rearrange matters without undue disharmony. It also has other business.
It is a heavy session tomorrow if we are to start at 9.30 a.m. discussing the Immigration Bill 2002 and then discuss the Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003. The Chairman suggested that we start at 9.30 a.m. with a brief sos at 4 p.m. and that we start again at 4.15 p.m.
There will be a sos for lunch at 1 p.m. and a brief sos at 4 p.m.
For how long will the Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003 continue?
It will continue until it is completed. There are not as many amendments; I understand it is not as contentious as the Immigration Bill 2002.
I am not so sure about that. It was very contentious.
Would we be better off taking the Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003 first to get it out of the way?
Deputy Costello has been very much involved in the Immigration Bill 2002 to which he has tabled 114 amendments. He has put a lot of work and effort into it. If it is possible for the Minister to take that Bill, I would like to facilitate Deputy Costello because of the amount time and effort he has put into it.
Is the Minister prepared to come back in the next week or so?
Not next week.
There are still seven days left.
The Government has decided that the passing of the legislation in this term is a priority. I am willing to devote reasonable amounts of time to it but, in the final analysis, it will be dealt with one way or another before next Wednesday. I do not like using the guillotine.
Are we talking about both Bills?
We are talking about both Bills. I do not like using the guillotine or asking the Chief Whip to impose the guillotine in the House.
I am trying to deal with this in a way that we do not have to talk about using the guillotine. The officials have been working on this legislation non-stop for a long time, as have Deputy Costello and the Minister. Everybody has been working hard and we must try to bring it to finality. I would like to reach an agreement with which everyone is happy, in so far as they can be.
It looks like a 12 hour shift. The schedule tomorrow is very heavy.
We can put a final time on the Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003. We can take the Immigration Bill 2002 on Friday and continue with the Intoxicating Liquor 2003 after the conclusion of that Bill. I am sure the Minister would be prepared to do that.
Some Deputies may wish to concentrate on the Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003, and Deputy Deasy may be in that category. I am happy to facilitate him. I must indicate that my priority is to get both Bills through both Houses in this session.
Is it agreed that we come in tomorrow from 9.30 a.m. until 4 p.m. on the Immigration Bill?
May I suggest that we start the Intoxicating Liquor Bill after the I.30 p.m. sos tomorrow?
Yes, that would mean we would get some of the work on that Bill done.
I agree with that suggestion.
We would have from 9.30 a.m. till 1.30 p.m. on this Bill.
We could then finish the Immigration Bill on Friday.
What time will we wrap up tomorrow?
When we have finished with the Intoxicating Liquor Bill. The committee will decide as the Bill progresses. It will possibly be 8.30 p.m. or 9 p.m. based on the type and number of amendments.
The House sits until 10 p.m.
We can go on until 10 p.m. then.
It is a good proposal to take the Immigration Bill in the morning and then go on to the Intoxicating Liquor Bill. Will the Minister be there for both?
I am at the disposal of the committee.
The proposal is that we start with the Immigration Bill at 9.30 a.m. until 1.30 p.m. At 2 p.m. we return for the Intoxicating Liquor Bill. The Minister will take the discussion from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. and will then be relieved by the Minister of State until we conclude. On Friday we will return to the Immigration Bill. Is that agreed? Agreed.