It is proposed to take business as on the Order Paper, Nos. 1, 6, 14, 12, 18 and 13. It is proposed that No. 13 be taken at 12.30, irrespective of the state of business. The Dáil will sit until 5 p.m. Private Deputies' Business will not be taken.
Order of Business.
Has it been decided on which days the House will sit next week?
No. I understand that there have been some discussion between the Whips which have proved inconclusive. Perhaps there may be some more fruitful results to-day.
The discussions blew up when I quoted the Tánaiste.
The suggestion was that the Dáil sit on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. There was disagreement about Friday. The Government desires, if possible, to secure the Second Reading of the Social Welfare Bill next week. That Bill is working to a fairly close timetable, if it is to come into operation on the date suggested. If some rearrangement of hours next week would secure that result, the Government is prepared to go as far as possible in the matter.
It would be unreasonable to expect that you could get the Second Reading next week, since Tuesday is not available.
As an alternative to meeting on Friday, we could sit for longer hours on Thursday.