I now beg to move that the Dáil sit later than 8.30 p.m. and not later than 10.30 p.m.
DAIL IN COMMITTEE. - BUSINESS OF DAIL.
Will the President say for what particular business?
To finish the business on the Orders of the Day, so that all to-morrow might be devoted to the motion of which the Minister for Industry and Commerce has given notice—the motion in regard to the Shannon scheme. It is possible some of the business on the Order Paper may not take up much time, but I would like all of it to be cleared off, or almost cleared off, before to-morrow.
May I ask the President what would be the course of business between now and Friday? A meeting had been arranged—this might have satisfied Deputy Figgis had he been here—in connection with the Committee of Public Accounts after the adjournment to-night, and if we are not able to meet to-night it will probably discommode the Committee. Friday's business might be taken into consideration, and I would like to know from the Minister whether he has business which he expects will carry us over, not only to-morrow, but the whole of Friday.
The only business I anticipated for to-morrow and Friday was the motion by the Minister for Industry and Commerce, and the Housing Bill. I do not expect the Minister for Fisheries will be here for the Second Stage of his Bill, and I anticipate we could discharge that from Friday's business also.
On the Order Paper there are two Bills which have reached the Fifth Stage. I imagine there will not be a great deal of discussion on either of those Bills. As regards the Housing Bill, there will be one or two amendments which, I think, the Minister has indicated. I suggest it would be better to take that Bill on Friday rather than to-morrow.
I would be quite agreeable.
With regard to the Land Bond Bill, that may easily occupy a considerable length of time. There are two or three amendments also dealing with the Military Service Pensions Bill which may be controversial. If it were possible to arrange for a late sitting on to-morrow night and Friday night, I suggest it would be better than a late sitting to-night.
To-morrow and Friday?
Yes.
Not on Friday, surely.
If the House generally agrees to that I am satisfied.
For our part we would prefer to sit late to-night rather than on Friday. For Deputies who have to go back to the country it would be much more convenient, but for Deputies from the city it is all the same. I would ask Deputy Johnson to waive his suggestion to have a late sitting on Friday.
Oh, I cannot settle the point. I am only expressing my own view.
If we sit late to-morrow night will we rise at the usual hour to-night?
If we sit late to-morrow night I would be agreeable.
I am agreeable too.
May I take it that if the motion in connection with the Shannon scheme be taken to-morrow and finished at 8.30, that we are then to take up any business not discharged to-day and finish it after 8.30? Is that what the Deputy means?
I do not know whether the President is suggesting that we should finally dispose of the Shannon scheme resolution to-morrow if there is any desire to carry it on.
Is the proposal to finish the ordinary business first and then take the Shannon scheme resolution and sit late to consider it?
I am not sure. I understood from the Minister for Industry and Commerce—and I think it has gone abroad—that we will be taking the Shannon scheme as the first business to-morrow. If we do not do that I anticipate that there will be considerable delay, if we have to take this agenda before entering on the Shannon scheme. Of course Friday is the only day I have in mind as the long sitting day, but if that does not meet with the general view of Deputies I suppose we will have to sit late to-night.
Perhaps Deputy Johnson will agree to take the motion now and we will see between this and half-past eight what will be the best course to adopt.
I agree.
Question—"That the Dáil sit later than 8.30 and not later than 10.30 to dispose of the business on the Orders of the Day"—put and agreed to.