We propose to take Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 5, and if we get finished this evening with No. 5—the Road Traffic Bill—we propose to take No. 6, the Road Transport Bill.
Order of Business.
Might I draw the attention of the Vice-President to what I believe was an undertaking given in this House that No. 6 would not be taken until next week?
I am not aware of any undertaking of that kind having been given.
My distinct recollection is that there was an understanding that Nos. 6 and 7 would not be taken until next week.
The Committee Stage of No. 6, the Road Transport Bill, was put down for Wednesday. It was not expected that the business would have reached such an advanced stage at the moment, but if the Road Traffic Bill is completed this evening there is no reason why the Road Transport Bill should not be taken.
We did get a notification that No. 6 would not be taken this week.
The Deputy probably refers to an intimation that it was unlikely to come on this week.
I thought it was definite.
Is the Minister not aware that the Road Transport Bill is a Bill of very great importance to a number of commercial bodies outside, and that a number of them are still considering the matter and have, in fact, prepared some amendments which they think they would like to put forward and have discussed here? They are under the impression too that they have until next week before the Committee Stage comes on.
We are anxious to facilitate the House and we realise that this is a very important Bill. Amendments could be brought in on the Report Stage. If there is a strong objection to taking the Bill immediately and if there is any special reason why further time should be given for amendments we will certainly facilitate the House in that way.
I have some knowledge of organisations interested in the Bill and although there may be some additional amendments I think it would not mean any repetition of consideration of the amendments which appear on the Order Paper.
As far as we are concerned here, I think the Minister understands that there may be some delay between the Committee Stage and the Report Stage, and that taking the Committee Stage now would mean perhaps a greater number of amendments being put down on the Report Stage than would otherwise be the case, so it may be of no advantage to go ahead.
If it happened that the Committee Stage were completed before the Dáil adjourns to-morrow there would be no objection to putting the Report Stage back to the following Wednesday week.
The Minister for Finance is anxious to ask leave for the introduction of a Bill relating to public economies. He hopes to have the short title of the Bill circulated before the adjournment this evening.
It will be taken at a later stage?
At a later stage.