It is proposed to take business on the Order Paper in the following order: Nos. 5, 4 and 6 (Votes 52 to 27 inclusive).
Order of Business.
I have advised the Minister for Supplies of my intention to raise on the Adjournment to-night the question of the inadequacy of the time allowed for the use of gas in respect of the evening meal in Dublin, in view of the conditions under which a large number of working people live in Dublin and of the fact that the principal meal has to be taken by these people in the evening. I have intimated that I intend to ask the Minister what he proposes to do in that regard.
I had a note from the Deputy that he proposes to raise a question concerning gas supplies on the Adjournment, but not in the form in which he has now intimated that he intends to raise it. I should point out that the hours fixed for the use of gas are not my responsibility but that of the gas company, over which I have no control.
I take it that the House is very interested in the circumstances in which people can use gas for cooking.
So am I, but I can only answer for matters for which I am responsible.
I would ask to be allowed to raise the matter so that we may see who is responsible and what we may do about it. Take, for instance, workers in the building trade. Practically all the members of the building trade take their principal meal in the evening and they cannot get home at midday in places like Marino and the North Dock. A very large number of these workers are affected by the restrictions.
Does the Deputy propose to argue the matter now or on the Adjournment?
On the Adjournment.
I want to make it quite clear that I have no responsibility whatever for the hours fixed by the gas company for the supply of gas. That is entirely a matter for the gas company, which is a privately-owned institution over which I have no control.
A question is addressed to a Minister on a matter for which he has responsibility. There is an aspect of the proposed question, to wit, the hours for the use of gas, fixed by the Dublin Gas Company, which do not concern the Minister. There are other aspects of the matter, however, for which the Minister may have responsibility. If the Deputy would see me later, I shall have considered the case, possibly not unfavourably, though no definite promise is given. Should the matter be raised on the Adjournment it will, in accordance with the agreement reached at the last meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, be taken at 9 o'clock.
When is No. 9—Electricity Supply Board (Superannuation) Bill—likely to be taken?
Not this week.