It is proposed to take business as on the Order Paper: Item No. 4—Votes 48, 71, 49 and 54. It is proposed that public business be not interrupted to take Private Deputies' Business.
Order of Business.
We have had no intimation of any proposal to change the order of the Estimates. They are ordered now in the most casual fashion as if there had been previous consultation about the matter. Surely the Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach will recognise that if he is going to depart from the order of the Estimates laid down here we ought at least to have some consultation about the matter.
There was consultation, I understand.
There was no consultation. We assumed that this order would be followed, the order in which the Estimates are entered here. Now, without having received any intimation, we hear that that order is to be departed from.
The order is being followed as far as possible but the Department of Agriculture Estimate is not ready.
We were told only at 1 o'clock to-day.
Surely if the Agriculture Estimate is not ready there should have been some consultation with the other Parties to see what other Estimates should be taken.
The order of the Estimates as it appeared on the Order Paper would be followed as far as possible.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary agree——
If the Agriculture Estimate is not taken the natural thing is to go on to the next.
Surely we should have been told that the Agriculture Estimate would not be taken and surely an effort should have been made to get agreement on another Estimate.
I understand that the other Parties were informed.
I was—at 1 o'clock.
We did not have the Order of Business.
Can we be told whether Agriculture will be taken to-morrow?
No, not tomorrow either.
We had made certain arrangements on the basis that Agriculture and Fisheries would be taken to-day as we were told and those arrangements will not enable us to deal with them next week. We will have to make other arrangements now.
In respect of the other Estimates, what will happen?
The only other Estimate is Posts and Telegraphs.
Would it be possible to continue with 48, 49 and 71 and let the Whips decide the order of the next Estimates?
Arrangements have been made to take Vote 54, Posts and Telegraphs.
I object to this Order of Business. I think it is gross discourtesy to shift these things about without giving us the slightest indication of any proposal to do so.
I apologise. I understood that these matters had been notified. It is not usual for things like this to happen and I am sorry that it has happened.
I understand that the thing may have miscarried from your point of view, but, its having miscarried, surely you will recognise your obligation to make that known to us and to make amends in order to facilitate other Parties.
We always do our best.
That is commendable and if you have a consultation that will be all right.
He said that he would.
There will be a discussion this afternoon.
I understood the Parliamentary Secretary to say that Posts and Telegraphs would, nevertheless, come on.
I understood that the Parliamentary Secretary and Deputy Corish decided that there would be a discussion this afternoon.
But since that the Parliamentary Secretary announced that Votes 48, 49 and 54 would be taken and that in spite of the fact that there would be a discussion.
Are we to understand that the matter is open to adjustment?
As far as we can succeed in adjusting it. I do not want to commit myself because arrangements have been made with the Minister concerned.
Are other Estimates ready?
The Industry and Commerce Estimate is not ready.
The Parliamentary Secretary will in any case commit himself to make some amends for falling down on the arrangements in this case?
I will do my best.