I move that the proceedings on the Railway Bill be not interrupted for Private Members' business, and that the Dáil sit later than 8.30 p.m. this evening.
PRIVATE MEMBERS' TIME.
I would like to ask whether we cannot get rid of Private Members' Business on the Order Paper to-day. This motion, to take Private Members' time in favour of Government measures after certain legislative steps have been taken with regard to a Private Members' Bill, seems to be rather an undesirable course to follow if we could avoid it. I think it would be very much better to have a decision taken on the Town Tenants Bill rather than to have it adjourned from Wednesday to Friday and from Friday to Wednesday and Wednesday to Friday again, not knowing whether it is going to be accepted by the majority of the House or not. I suggest it would be much better and more satisfactory for everybody concerned, if we were to finish the discussion on the Second Reading, and take a division on the matter.
I informed Deputy Redmond that the Bill could not be taken this evening, and asked him to postpone it until next week. He agreed, and made certain arrangements, and I think he is out of town, and it would not be fair to take the Bill now, having told him that it would not be taken to-day.
How does this arrangement apply to the motion standing in my name?
I would prefer to make a bargain with the Deputy. If we finish the Railway Bill this evening I would propose to allow him to go on with his motion.
At the request of other Deputies interested in the motion in my name, I would ask to have it postponed until next week, as I understood I was to get time for it on Friday or Wednesday.
I would be prepared to meet the Deputy to-night if we finish the Railway Bill, or else to take the discussion on his motion on Friday next.
I accept that.
The question is: "That the proceedings on the Railway Bill be not interrupted for Private Members' business."
Agreed.
Ordered: That the Dáil sit later than 8.30 p.m. this evening.