It is proposed to take business as on the Order Paper:—Items Nos. 12—Vote 49—8, 9, 3, 10, 11, 12—Votes 10 and 35—13, 14— Votes 65 and 66; the remaining Vote in item No. 12 and the remaining Votes in item No. 14; and, finally, items Nos. 4 and 7.
Order of Business.
We are to discuss the Republic then in the middle of the night?
If the Deputy will allow me to announce the Order of Business, he may then raise that point.
Is it true that there is some proposal to sit late to-night?
The Chair has not heard anything to that effect.
If there is agreement to sit late, the motion will be moved in time.
I take it that it is the Government's intention to endeavour to complete its business this week.
The Government desires to do so.
It was suggested by some Deputies, rather late in the day, I admit, that they would like to sit to-night, as a contribution towards helping to finish the business this week, and so far as this Party is concerned, if it appears to the Government that it would be reasonable to sit late to-night in order to complete the business before the House, we would have no objection.
We will be agreeable to that course if it finds general acceptance. The matter will be discussed by the Whips, and, if it is decided to proceed on these lines, the necessary motion will be moved before 7 p.m.
I want to say that I strenuously object to the discussion of the Vote for External Affairs or for the League of Nations in the middle of the night.
It will be put to a vote of the House.
Mr. Boland
The Deputy has only one vote.
Thanks be to God I have it, and I have not to thank the Minister for it.
I support the Deputy on that; the middle of the night is no time to discuss those matters.
That is for the House to decide.
I should like to correct any impression that the suggestion I am making or with which I am in agreement is that we should sit during the middle of the night. I do not think it will be necessary that we sit any later than 11 or 12 o'clock.
I should like to draw attention, with your permission, to the fact that a few days ago a statement was made in this House by a responsible Minister concerning a citizen who is not in this House to defend himself.
The Deputy should have raised it then.
I was not in the House myself.
The Deputy ought to have been.
The Deputy must give the Chair notice of raising any such matter. It cannot be raised in that manner.
I will give you notice of my intention to raise it on the Adjournment to-morrow, if that will suit?
I will see what the Deputy wants to raise. I must have written notice of it.
I wish to raise——
I must have written notice.
Very well. I will write it out for you.
Yesterday, I mentioned that copies of the statement read by the Minister had not been distributed to the members of the Opposition Parties. I now understand that copies had been received and I apologise if I caused any trouble.
Very good, Deputy. I understand that the Leaders of all Parties had got them.