It is proposed to take business in the following order: No. 1, after which the Taoiseach will move the Adjournment to discuss the announcement made last week concerning the trade arrangement. If that discussion should conclude before 10.30 p.m., the following items will be taken: Nos. 12 to 16, with No. 3 in its appropriate place. It is proposed that Public Business be not interrupted to take Private Deputies' Business.
Order of Business.
The Taoiseach has already announced that he considered it necessary to seek a dissolution of the present Dáil and to hold a general election early next year. In the meantime, he and other Ministers have indicated that there may be certain measures which the Government desire as a matter of urgent public importance to have passed by the Oireachtas before the dissolution. We are desirous of facilitating the Government in every reasonable way to pass any urgent measure where there is no serious conflict on principle, but even if we were to sit up to the week immediately before Christmas, there will be only four weeks during which either the Dáil or the Seanad can do any business. I would ask, therefore, if the Taoiseach could, either to-day or to-morrow, issue a statement of the measures which the Government think are of such a nature that they require to be passed before the dissolution.
I could give a general indication of the measures which the Government would desire to have passed before the Adjournment. In the Industry and Commerce list, there are the Merchant Shipping Bill, the Irish Shipping Limited Bill, the Supplies and Services Bill. In so far as the Industrial Efficiency and Prices Bill is concerned, it has already passed the Second Reading, but there have been a number of amendments tabled and if it was thought that the Bill was likely to be controversial in Committee, we would not regard it as essential to get it passed in this session. That is a matter which might be discussed between the Party Whips. It may be necessary to pass one further Bill, not yet introduced, a Bill to effect certain amendments of the Air Navigation and Transport Act.
The Minister for Local Government has before the Dáil the Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) Bill, the Housing (Amendment) Bill, the Local Elections Bill, and the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Bill, which he desires to have passed. Two further Bills remain to be introduced—the Expiring Laws Bill, which is normally introduced at this time of the year, and a Bill concerning the relief of rates on agricultural land.
The Minister for Justice has two minor Bills, the Solicitors (Amendment) Bill and the Statutory Instruments Bill. There are two further measures which he wishes to have introduced, neither of a very substantial nature, the Garda Síochána (Pensions) Bill and the Garda Síochána (Acquisition of Premises) Bill.
The Minister for Education will have a motion concerning the amendment of the national school teachers superannuation scheme.
The Minister for Agriculture has before the Dáil the Poultry Hatcheries Bill, and the Minister for Health and Social Welfare desires to secure the enactment of a Bill for the revision of the system of recoupment of health expenditure to local authorities. That is the full list.
The Tánaiste suggests that this might be a matter for discussion between the Whips. I think that after we have had time to look at the list which the Tánaiste has just read out, it would be more appropriate if the Taoiseach should have a consultation with the heads of Parties. I do not know whether all this volume of work can be got through before the dissolution, but where there is a conflict of principle, it would be much more satisfactory if, instead of discussing the matter with the Whips, the Taoiseach might have a conference with the leaders of Parties as to what matters might be left over.
That will be considered.
Is it the intention to have item No. 22, the Local Government (Superannuation) Bill, passed before the adjournment? It was not mentioned in the list read out.
If it would not take much time, I am sure the Minister would be glad to have it passed. I shall mention the Deputy's query to him. It is not named on my list.
I put down a motion about the tariff on hats three months ago. When the Taoiseach introduced the Emergency Imposition of Duties Act he said that if anyone put down a motion to alter an Order made under the Act, it would be the Government's greatest pleasure to have it debated at the earliest possible moment. I have the motion down so long that it has whiskers on it.
The Deputy will have ample opportunity.
You never thought of mentioning the motion.
I would be quite prepared to facilitate the Deputy to talk as much as he likes on these matters in the near future.
So long as Castlebar factory is making the hats I will get no facilities.