Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 10 Dec 1959

Vol. 178 No. 8

Motion for Late Sitting.

The Taoiseach

I move:—

(1) That, if necessary, the Dáil sit later than, 11 p.m. today and that the hour at which business is to be interrupted be five and a half hours (exclusive of any period devoted to Questions to Ministers) after the conclusion of Government business, and

(2) that the Dáil sit later than 2.30 p.m. tomorrow and that (a) the hour at which business is to be interrupted be 5 p.m., (b) business be confined to the introduction of Bills, formal business and the Motion for the Adjournment of the Dáil and (c) the Taoiseach shall be called upon by the Chair not later than 4 p.m. to conclude the debate on the Motion.

I think this Motion adequately expresses the arrangement that has been negotiated between the Whips.

Mr. Sweetman

As far as we are concerned it does.

Mr. McQuillan

I wish to raise a few points on this Motion. I would not do so, were it not for the fact that the Minister for Local Government failed to give us a reply last night when he was asked whether he proposed to give time this session before the House rose to conclude the motion concerning the Local Authorities (Works) Act. The Government have had notice of that because I told the Minister here last night that most Deputies, particularly rural Deputies, were anxious for a decision on the Local Authorities (Works) Act. We asked him last night whether, if the Deputies gave way, he would give an assurance that time would be made available. The second paragraph of this motion shows that the Government wish the business to be confined to the introduction of Bills, formal business and the Motion for the Adjournment for the House tomorrow and that the Taoiseach be called upon to conclude the debate on the motion not later than 4 o'clock.

The Government should give an opportunity to have a very important matter like drainage dealt with prior to the House rising for the Christmas recess.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

May I suggest that the matter to which the Deputy refers could be discussed on the Motion for the Adjournment?

Mr. McQuillan

I am quite open to suggestions. I understood that No. 4 dealt with the hours tomorrow, and I am prepared to discuss the matter at the most appropriate time.

The Taoiseach

I have not had an opportunity of discussing the question with the Minister for Local Government but I am prepared to suggest to him that he should speak on the motion for the Adjournment.

Mr. Wycherley

I should like to support Deputy McQuillan's point that time should be allocated for this very important motion. There was never a more appropriate time for discussing it, for never has there been so much flooding. I travelled from West Cork yesterday——

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Deputy may not make a speech on the point.

Mr. Wycherley

I was very anxious to speak on the motion last night but there was no time available. If the Government will make time available I shall certainly give my views to the House on the subject.

Mr. McQuillan

I wish to get the position clear. The Taoiseach states that he will discuss this matter with the Minister for Local Government for the purpose of suggesting that the Minister himself should speak on the adjournment debate. I do not think the Taoiseach understood my point. I want to find out whether the motion itself will be concluded. I do not want to prolong this discussion but the normal procedure in this House over the years used to be that three and a half hours were allowed for Private Members' time, an hour and a half on Tuesday or Wednesday and two hours on Friday. For years the opportunities for private Deputies to move motions in this House have been limited severely by all Governments. Surely the serious effects of flooding make it a matter of absolute urgency that a decision be given by the Government as to whether moneys will be made available to relieve flooding under the Local Authorities (Works) Act. There is only one hour and ten minutes left for this motion and I suggest that between now and 12 o'clock tonight or between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. tomorrow the Government could find one hour and ten minutes to discuss a matter of such importance.

The Taoiseach

I understood the Deputy to say that he wished to have the Minister for Local Government given an opportunity of making a statement of Government policy in the matter. I have undertaken to discuss with the Minister the possibility of his making that statement during the debate on the motion for the Adjournment.

Mr. McQuillan

Will the Taoiseach not give any further consideration to making time available for the conclusion of the motion itself? The Taoiseach will appreciate the 10th February is a long way off.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

There is no time for Private Members' business.

Mr. McQuillan

I know, but No. 4 on the Order Paper deals with the question of the Order of Business and the time to be made available. Deputies who are not members of the major Parties cannot have a discussion on important matters of this nature. Matters of importance in this House seem to be decided outside it as far as time is concerned and I wish to avail of an opportunity which rarely comes to a Deputy of discussing the Order of Business.

Mr. Sweetman

Might I suggest that the matter might be left there till 1 p.m. and that between now and 1 o'clock the Taoiseach will have an opportunity of discussing the matter with the Minister for Local Government? When we see how public business has gone between this and 1 o'clock it might be possible to complete Private Members' Business without cutting in on the Adjournment Debate.

The Taoiseach

I should like to point out that on the Adjournment Debate it is open to any Deputy to raise any question or ventilate any view.

Mr. Sweetman

If we complete public business expeditiously we could see how we stand at 1 o'clock and perhaps then Deputy McQuillan would be allowed to raise the matter if he wished.

Mr. McQuillan

At 1 o'clock?

Mr. Sweetman

Yes.

Mr. McQuillan

I am quite prepared to accept any reasonable arrangement but I want to emphasise that it is not a question of raising this matter on the Adjournment Debate. The Adjournment Debate generally deals with one or two specific matters which are arranged beforehand and the Taoiseach is responsible for the reply to that discussion, not the Minister for Local Government. However, if at 1 o'clock the matter can come up for further discussion I am prepared to wait. Question put and agreed to.