It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 6, 7, 8, with No. 1 in its appropriate place. If it is not reached by 6 o'clock, it is proposed to take No. 8 at 6 o'clock, and, on its conclusion, to resume the discussion on No. 7.
Order of Business.
Will the Tánaiste tell us if we are to sit to-morrow, what is the programme for next week, and whether next week will finish us?
We do not propose to sit to-morrow. It is expected that next week should finish the business of the Dáil. I cannot, however, say that definitely, because there will be some Bills which we desire to pass and of which it may not be possible to take all stages next week. I do not think that is likely, because I think they will be non-contentious.
When the Tánaiste says that next week will finish us, does that mean that the Dáil will be dissolved next week or that it will resume after Christmas?
That is the privilege of the Taoiseach.
Do not spancel the Taoiseach. He must be free to canter up to the park. That is his constitutional right.
Let us conduct the matter in order.
The orderly fashion is that there is a Bill for introduction which has not been announced.
On the Order of Business. It is best to know what the game is. We do not know anything. I want, therefore, to try to get some information on this matter. I gather from what the Tánaiste said that the House will sit next week and that it will then adjourn, but that it will not be necessarily dissolved, which, I presume, means that it will reassemble after Christmas. I want to know from some responsible person on the Front Bench—and that excludes the Minister for Local Government——
There is no responsible person who could know that.
——what is the programme after Christmas or are we to meet after Christmas?
It will depend entirely on the business which may arise, including the possibility of amendments to measures in the Seanad.
Do not try to spancel the Taoiseach. He must be free to go to the Park.
The Taoiseach has given more notice than has ever been given before.
Will the Tánaiste repeat the statement he made?
The Dáil will not be dissolved before Christmas.