It is proposed to take the business on the Order Paper, Nos. 4 and 5; Public Business not to be interrupted at 9 o'clock. With regard to the Adjournment, Sir, I was thinking of discussing with the House whether it would be possible to make an arrangement whereby we might get the financial business, which I am anxious to see dealt with as quickly as possible, finished to-day—that is, the Report Stage. If we could have an understanding on that, it might facilitate the Opposition who wish to discuss motions on the Order Paper relating to sugar. I think it might facilitate both sides of the House.
Order of Business.
Does the Tánaiste say that the business he proposes to take is Nos. 4 and 5?
Yes, Nos. 4 and 5. I do not think that No. 5 will take very much time.
Perhaps the Tánaiste would repeat what he said.
I said that I was anxious to get the Financial Resolutions dealt with as quickly as possible, or at any rate to have the Report Stage finished, so as to introduce the First Reading of the Finance Bill. If we could secure that to-day, we could probably facilitate the House, and the Opposition Parties in particular, with regard to the motions on sugar, in which I understand they are particularly interested.
Do I understand the Tánaiste to say that No. 4 on the Order Paper includes not only the finishing of the debate on Resolution No. 9, but also the Report Stages of the previous Financial Resolutions?
Yes.
And then it is proposed to take the next stage of the Finance Bill on next Wednesday?
Yes.
Are we going to resume now on the Financial Resolutions?
Yes.
On the understanding that you get the Report and other stages this evening?
Yes, but of course it depends on how long will be necessary for the Report Stage.
Yes, but these are the two stages, and in that order?
Yes, and in order to get the First Reading of the Finance Bill.
Well, it seems to us to be reasonable to give the Minister the Report Stage this evening, on condition that the Second Stage of the Finance Bill is not taken this week.
No, it is proposed to take it next Wednesday.
Does the Taoiseach intend to intervene in the discussion on Resolution No. 9? I ask that because the Minister for Finance has intervened, and I should like to know whether or not the Taoiseach will wind up the discussion.
I am sorry that I cannot say, at this stage, whether I shall intervene or not.
Will the Taoiseach say whether, if the remainder of the business before the House is not at a stage at which it can proceed, it will be possible to deal with the multitude of Private Deputies' motions on the Order Paper which are blocking the Order Paper?
We are proposing to give Government time to-morrow for the discussion of Private Deputies' motions on the Order Paper.
Yes, I can quite understand that in connection with the motions on sugar, because these motions arise out of Government action, but what I want to know is whether we can get normal time to deal with the Private Deputies' motions, several of which are on the Order Paper. I am not pressing for the time to be allocated this week, but will time be allocated next week?
Next week we will be taking the Finance Bill, I expect, and that may take some time, but perhaps the debate in that connection might be shortened.
In view of the lengthy discussion on the General Resolutions, there is a possibility that the debate on the Second Stage of the Finance Bill might not be unduly prolonged, and if there is a possibility of accommodating the Opposition Parties next week, with regard to Private Deputies' motions, will that accommodation be given?
Yes. If it is possible, and if both Parties wish it, the question of the giving of that accommodation will be considered.
I think it would be well if we could come to an agreement that the debate on the General Resolutions should be finished at 9 o'clock this evening, if the debate goes that far. If we could have an agreement on that, I think it would be well. While not necessarily wishing that that debate should be carried on until 9 o'clock, I think it would be well if the House would agree to finish it at 9 o'clock, and not later.
Yes, that would be well, if it could be agreed to.
I take it that the suggestion is to Report the Resolutions at 9 o'clock, by agreement of the House.
I suggest, Sir, that, if the discussion on the General Resolutions finished at 9 o'clock, there would be time to discuss the Report Stage, and while the debate might not go on so long, it might be well if we agreed to have the discussion on the General Resolutions finished at 9 o'clock.
It is then agreed to proceed to Report Stage of Resolutions at 9 o'clock at the latest.