I think I had better move:—"That the Dáil sit later than 8.30 p.m., and that the motion for the adjournment be taken not later than 10.30 p.m." Unless there is objection raised, I propose to take the Estimates in the order in which they are on the Order Paper.
LATE SITTING.
Will the President bear in mind that it would be undesirable to enter on the Army Estimates at a late hour? There is no objection to raising them before 8 o'clock. There are important issues in connection with them which were not properly debated last year, and it would be a pity if they were apportioned to a late hour this evening.
The proposal is put to me, in the nature of a request, that we would not sit beyond 8.30 p.m., and that we take the adjournment then. If the Deputy would wait until about 7 o'clock for a definite answer, I think I might be in a better position to consider his suggestion. In other words, if it were likely that the Army Pensions Estimates were to be taken, say, at 7 o'clock, I take it that the objection would not lie as strongly as if we reached them, say, at 8.30 o'clock.
The President made certain concessions to farmer Deputies on account of the Spring Show, but the farmer Deputies are not the only ones interested in that show. I am, I think, the only Deputy who is exhibiting there, and though I managed to be here, I do not want to be here all the evening.
Question—"That the Dáil sit not later than 10.30 p.m."—put and agreed to.