The first item is the discharge of No. 17 and then it is proposed to take Nos. 2, 3, 6, 10, 11 and 12. If not already reached, it is proposed to interrupt business at 8.30 p.m. to take No. 12. It is not proposed to take Private Member's Business.
Order of Business.
I am afraid I could not hear the Taoiseach.
The first item is the discharge of No. 17.
That is because you are introducing a new Bill.
Then Nos. 2, 3, 6, 10, 11 and 12. It is proposed to interrupt business at 8.30 p.m. to take No. 12. It is not proposed to take Private Member's Business. I understand that it is considered that two hours will be sufficient to complete No. 12 and that the Minister will be given 45 minutes to reply. If the business should finish before 8.30, then of course the two hours will run from whatever time the business finishes.
There is no two hours limit if we start before 8.30? I do not mind but I want to know clearly what it is.
Two hours from whatever time business finishes. Business is being interrupted at 8.30 in any case.
Is there any firm agreement about concluding?
That is what he says. There is, apparently. It is concluding at 10.30 anyway.
Could the Taoiseach say what is the position about No. 16?
I am sorry but I am not clear what is happening.
I have been inquiring about that Bill and I understand that its drafting is now completed and subject to check by the Attorney General before it will be circulated, I hope, during the Easter Recess.
Can the Taoiseach tell us what happened to the Electoral Bill? I thought he told us we were going to get it today.
The Minister for Local Government tells me that it will go to the printers this evening.
I thought the Taoiseach said it had gone yesterday?
Yes, but it did not go yesterday and I am told that it may not be possible to circulate it tomorrow because the checking of the proof will be quite an elaborate business but certainly it will be available before the weekend.
Has this Bill to be approved by each member of the Government Party before being circulated?
Substantially.
All Bills are approved by all members of the Government, certainly.
Do they all have to consult their constitutents before it is circulated?
Every cumann has to be consulted.
Every cumann.
That is what we want to know. Do not blame the printers then.
It will be in the Irish Press before we see it.
Even beaten candidates of the Government Party were boasting at the election that they had seen it. I still do not understand what happens if the two Courts Bills end at 7.30.
Two hours for No. 12.
Would the Taoiseach say what is the resumption date after Easter?
11th April.
Clearly, the Taoiseach's arrangement as suggested in his last proclamation will not work. If the two Bills end at 7.30 is it proposed to suspend the session of Dáil Éireann until 8.30 p.m.?
No, we start on No. 12 then.
Then the House will rise at 9.30?
Two hours for No. 12 after the business finishes if it finishes before 8.30. Business will be interrupted at 8.30 to take No. 12 anyway.
If it starts at 7 p.m. then presumably the House will rise at 9 p.m., giving the Minister 45 minutes in which to reply. Let us be clear on what we are agreeing.
Why the two hour limitation?
That is what was agreed.
Can the Taoiseach say if we will have business for to-morrow?
Apart from any business not finished to-day, we start in on the Estimates, the first being the Estimate for the Department of Defence.
And Army Pensions.
And Army Pensions.