It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 1, 4, 9, 13, 5, and in No. 6, Votes 10 and 65; Nos. 2, 16, 7, 3, 14 and 15.
Order of Business.
May I ask the Minister what he means by ordering No. 2 for to-day? No. 2 is a Bill from the Seanad which the Seanad has amended. In the normal course of Standing Orders the Minister responsible would intimate to the House his attitude to the amendments and another day would be fixed for their discussion.
Could the Deputy not raise that point if the matter comes up this evening?
My reason for objecting to this being ordered to-day is that we are not aware of the Minister's attitude to the amendment and, on the assumption he is accepting that amendment, I wish to propose an amendment to the Seanad amendment.
If the particular Bill is reached this afternoon, which is doubtful, that matter can be dealt with by the Deputy.
I want to raise a matter of great importance. Two weeks ago I asked the Taoiseach when it was proposed to take the Agricultural Workers (Holidays) Bill. I was then informed that it would be taken as soon as the Minister for Agriculture returned from abroad which, it was intimated to me in the House, would be in about two weeks' time. However, it has not yet been taken. Legislation of much less importance than this has been taken. The postponement of the Agricultural Workers (Holidays) Bill means, probably, that the Bill will not become operative for a very considerable time.
I do not think so.
I want to protest very strongly against this treatment of agricultural workers. Why is it that the Minister has not returned from America, and what is he doing there?
Wasting his time, he said.
Am I to get no reply to my question as to what the Minister is doing?
As far as I know at the moment, he is on his way home.
And by the time he arrives the Dáil will have risen. I protest very strongly.
I understand that it is proposed to adjourn until the middle of February. I would ask the Taoiseach to reconsider that proposal in view of the fact that there are important Private Members' motions which ought to be dealt with.
Does the Deputy want to sit next week?
Would it be possible to meet within a month?
No. The Deputy must understand that the Christmas period intervenes. Certain Ministers have to go away in the forthcoming couple of weeks. Before the Dáil assembles very considerable consideration will have to be given to Estimates and to the programme for the coming Session. It is not possible—it would be possible but not proper. While I appreciate that the Deputy's anxiety is to have his Private Members' motions debated, I would urge on him the consideration that Ministers have very difficult work to do in January and at the beginning of February.
Would the Taoiseach consider that when we re-assemble the Dáil will meet on four days a week instead of two?
If necessary, certainly.
And Ministers stay at home to facilitate business.
It is very handy for Dublin Deputies to talk like that.
It is only amusement for the Dublin Deputies.