It is proposed to take the Order Paper in the order in which the items appear, and to take No. 8—Electricity (Finance) Bill, 1929 (Second Stage)—as first business to-morrow. I move that consideration of the Estimates be not interrupted at the time fixed for taking Private Deputies' business to-night.
Order of Business.
It is proposed to take the business as it appears on the Order Paper and to-morrow to take No. 8 on to-day's Order Paper as the first business.
With regard to that I think we on this side of the House have a very strong objection to taking No. 4—Civil Service (Transferred Officers) Bill, 1929— to-night. We only received a copy of this Bill yesterday morning, and some of us only received it, as a matter of fact, yesterday evening. A number of Deputies interested in the matter have been engaged all the morning on public business, and have not had an opportunity of reading the Bill. I think, therefore, that in the circumstances it would be unfair to take that Bill this evening. We would be agreeable to taking it to-morrow.
The same thing applies to the Electricity (Finance) Bill which it is proposed to take to-morrow. If it is proposed to sit to-night, it would be impossible for any Deputy to read the Bill and to consider it. A large number of Deputies have been engaged here this morning on public business of various kinds.
It is a very short Bill.
And a very simple Bill.
Deputies should be given time to read it.
I will guarantee to read it for the Deputy to-morrow.
That is too encouraging altogether.
The President is agreeable to take No. 4 to-morrow.
Certainly, and I will be prepared to entertain Deputy Lemass's objection to the Electricity (Finance) Bill to-morrow if he persists in his objection.
With regard to the Electricity (Finance) Bill, the really important point, having regard to the provisions of the Bill, is to open the debate on the Second Reading, but not necessarily to conclude it, on the same day. In the case of that Bill, the important thing is to hear the Minister's Second Reading speech. A Bill such as that, while it may look quite simple on its face, may have implications which it may be necessary for the Minister to explain. I think the better procedure would be to open the proceedings and to consider, subsequently, whether the Second Reading debate would be adjourned.
Conditional upon its simplicity being realised, I will be facilitated on getting its later Stages through without undue delay.
Then to-day we will take the Money Resolution, the Agricultural Credit Bill, and the Estimates for Public Services. If consideration of the Estimates is concluded, we will take the Electricity (Finance) Bill.
I do not think it is likely that consideration of the Estimates will be concluded.
Might I ask whether the non-interruption of the business at 9 o'clock means the continuance of the sitting over-night?
No; the question of sitting during the night will arise subsequently. The President desires that Ministerial business be not interrupted by the taking of Private Deputies' Business at 9 o'clock. The question of a later sitting is a separate matter.
And arises at that time?
No; it arises immediately. It is agreed that Private Deputies' business will not be taken to-night.