I move that the Dáil sit later than 9 o'clock, and that the order for the adjournment be taken not later than 10.30 p.m.
PRIVATE BUSINESS. - EXTENDED SITTING.
In the absence of Deputy Johnson, I would like to call attention to the fact—unfortunately Deputy Johnson is not here, and he would, I know, have called attention— that on various occasions we did not sit on Tuesday and we did not sit on Friday, and that the Government are greatly to blame in arranging the business of the House in such a way as to make late sittings necessary. What I would like to emphasise is, that this sitting is not only inconvenient to the Deputies but to the civil servants who have to attend here, to the officers of the Dáil and to those who report for the Press, and very little is gained by it. If an adjournment of one hour is taken for tea, the net gain is only an hour. I suggest to the President that he should not make this motion except where necessary and only for specific business. In that way the civil servants not concerned with the Bill actually before the House, and Ministers, possibly would be able to go home. I suggest to the President that he should amend his motion to read so that if the Committee Stage of the Intoxicating Liquor Bill is not concluded before 8.30 he would extend the sitting, but that he would not extend the sitting for the purpose of taking up the Land Bill, the Army Pensions Bill, or the Juries Bill. In other words, it should be a limited motion and not a motion to allow of the taking on of every kind of business. I do not know if the President accepts that suggestion. I suggest that that arrangement would convenience not only Deputies and Ministers, but civil servants and the officials of the Dáil.
Notice was given by the Minister for Justice that it was proposed to sit late this evening in order to deal with the Committee Stage of the Intoxicating Liquor Bill. That is the only business we intend to take to-day.
Are we going to sit late every other night, or does it apply to this night only?
It depends on how we manage to get through the Committee Stage of the Intoxicating Liquor Bill. If we finish the Committee Stage of the Intoxicating Liquor Bill to-day and make a reasonable impression on the Committee Stage of the Land Bill to-morrow—that is, practically finish it—I do not think it will be necessary to sit later than 8.30. I could not guarantee that, but I will look into the matter and let Deputies know later.
Inasmuch as the Minister gave notice of his intention to sit late to-day, we cannot raise much question; but if we are to look forward to sitting until 10 o'clock for weeks ahead, from Tuesday until Friday, I say it is not fair, and it is asking too much of the House. I do not know that it is going to facilitate business so much after all. The arrangement of business by the Government up to the present was not satisfactory, from the point of view of the ordinary Deputies, and, in the circumstances, I think that the President should not ask this of the Dáil.
I would like to associate myself with the remarks of Deputy Baxter. The House was adjourned repeatedly for days and days, and we all know the dislocation that was caused through the transfer to London for the Imperial Conference of a large body of civil servants and Ministers. Now the House is expected to have no other interest except to promote the Government's purpose. It is most unfair to Deputies. The practice is growing, of late, of altering the Orders of the Day. An item is put down as No. 12 and, without notice, it becomes item No. 8, and those who have made arrangements to deal with it as item No. 12 are shut out. It is impossible, really, with the topsy-turvydom that has become the practice of Ministers, to have the due discharge of a Deputy's duty in this House.
It is quite true the Minister for Justice gave notice that he would move for a late sitting to-night, and to that extent I do not think we would be justified in dividing the House on the matter. I think one might draw the inference, arising out of the attitude of the President in moving for a late sitting to-night, that we are taking too much time discussing the details of this very contentious measure. I do not know whether that is the President's view, but past experience proves that it is necessary to go more closely into these amendments, because I think we have on record the fact that two amending Bills had to be passed within the life-time of the present Dáil affecting measures passed here in 1924. That shows that these rushing tactics, as adopted by the Ministry, do not pay in the long run.
Could the President indicate his intentions regarding next week? The National Holiday intervenes and some of us may want to visit our constituencies on that occasion.
I propose the House should sit on Monday from 5 o'clock to 10.30, and should sit also on Tuesday and Wednesday. We would not meet on Thursday.
I think it is asking too much of Deputies from the country to have to remain in Dublin over the weekend. If we sit on Monday some Deputies cannot go home at all. Personally, I have no objection to sitting to-night until 10.30; I have no objection to sitting all night if necessary, just as we did on the Flogging Bill. If the Minister for Justice thinks that by sitting late to-night he is going to get this measure through, he is mistaken. It is up to Deputies to speak on each amendment and prove to the Government that even by sitting late they will not get what they desire.
Will the President explain the great urgency that makes him suggest sitting on Monday? It is a most inconvenient day for Deputies from the country. Is there any business which is so violently urgent as to adopt the unusual course of sitting on Monday? I cannot conceive what it is.
I take it the question whether we will sit on Monday will be raised again. It is not going to be decided now.
What measures other than the Land Bill and the Intoxicating Liquor Bill are likely to take up the time of the House?
I am not in a position to say what is before the House, but there is a very detailed programme at present in course of completion, with day and date down for various items. I have not got it here. I did not expect to be asked any questions to-day on the matter. I presume I will have it actually completed within a couple of days. I will be in a position then to give the House information as to what measures are coming for consideration.
Question—"That the Dáil sit later than 9 p.m., and that the Order for the adjournment be taken not later than 10.30 p.m."—put and agreed to.