It is proposed to take the business as on the Order Paper, beginning with No. 2 and No. 1 will be taken in its appropriate place. I move: "That the Dáil sit later than 10.30 p.m. to-night and that the order for the adjournment be taken not later than 12 midnight."
Motion to Sit Late.
Does the Minister want all the Stages of this Bill to-day?
I do. I understand that there is some arrangement.
Frankly, I am not au fait, but whatever arrangement has been made will be strictly adhered to. I will make this submission to the Government: in this character of a Bill it is more in keeping with sound democratic practices to sit late because, while the Front Benches of all Parties may take a certain view, every individual Deputy should be afforded the fullest opportunity of speaking his mind on legislation of this kind. No one likes less than I do sitting here till two or three o'clock in the morning, but I think it is the democratic thing to do. So far as the principal Opposition are concerned, we intend to give you all the Stages of this Bill to-day, but personally I think it would be preferable to take the order for the adjournment at not later than noon to-morrow and allow anybody who wants to speak his mind to speak it. It is the right thing to do. I believe you will get the Bill before midnight; you may get it before 10.30, but I am reluctant to have a record of the closure in a debate of this kind.
We have no desire to impose any closure on this Bill. I think it would be much better if we met to-morrow or perhaps next week.
May I remind the Minister that Deputy Doyle's wife is being buried to-morrow, and there are very many members of the House who wish to be present at the funeral?
There appeared to be a general desire or willingness on the part of all Parties to finish this Bill to-night. I think it will be admitted by both Fine Gael and Labour that there was no undue pressure from our side.
None whatever.
The idea of sitting later than 12 o'clock does not appeal to us. We would prefer, although we do not want to, if it can be avoided, to have the matter left over until next week rather than sit through the night, as it is not urgently required.
In view of the general attitude with regard to this measure, I think the Government might consider the convenience, of members of the House. If the House considers that it is more convenient to sit late to-night and to finish this Bill rather than to travel from various parts of the country next week, the Government should give some attention to that.
I am perfectly agreeable, provided the idea does not go abroad that we are pressing this.
Would it not be easier to see how we get on during the day and then, with the consent of the House at, say, 10 o'clock, the Government could move to sit later, if necessary?
It would be necessary to move in that matter much earlier than 10 o'clock.
Shall we say 6 o'clock to-morrow morning?
"That the Motion for the Adjournment be taken not later than 6 a.m. to-morrow."
Agreed.