It is proposed to take business as set out on the Order Paper in the following order: Nos. 9, 11, and in No. 11, Votes 52, 53, 54, 55 and 43. I understand that there is a general desire to conclude Nos. 9 and 11 this evening.
Order of Business.
Only No. 9. There is nothing like trying it.
Very well, No. 9. I suggest that the Minister for Finance should be called upon to conclude not later than 9.15 p.m.
This is the first we heard of it.
There is no arrangement. This is a suggestion.
It is a bit quick.
We discussed it last week and the Labour Party said they did not mind.
We are not trying to trip up anyone. It would be better if the Whips talked about it.
Let us put it on record that it was discussed last week.
It was discussed last week but this is a new week and we have not got any date.
My memory runs from week to week.
We were prepared to agree to a date last week but we think it is unfair that Fine Gael and the Government should decide now——
I am going on the assumption that we had talked it over with the Labour Party.
The time of 10.30 p.m. was not mentioned to me last week.
The desire is on our part.
May I suggest that Independent members of the House might be let in on those secret conclaves?
If there is no objection to calling the Minister for Finance at 9.15 p.m., having regard to the time which the House has spent on the Vote on Account, can we take it that we will get agreement now?
We are prepared to discuss it immediately. We are not giving any undertaking now that the Minister will get in at a certain time.
We discussed it last week and the major Opposition Parties seemed to be agreeable to having the debate concluded. We are suggesting to the House that the Minister should get in at 9.15 p.m. There is no arrangement. I am going on the discussions we had last week.
We could come to some agreement in the next half hour.
And come back to make another order?
Is that necessary?
I think it is necessary that we should have some agreement on what time the Minister for Finance will be called upon to conclude this evening. Is that not necessary for the convenience of every member of the House?
We still have plenty of time. It is not necessary that it should be this evening.
I do not mind. I shall give way to Deputy Norton as I always do. I am very soft-hearted.
Can we put it this way: it is agreed now unless otherwise disagreed?
The Whips will talk about it and we will come to an arrangement.
If the debate on the Vote on Account concludes before 10.30 p.m., I suppose we could proceed to deal with the Estimates, No. 11, and Nos. 4, 5 and 1.
On a point of information, I think it is generally known that it is my intention to move the suspension of Standing Orders to enable a discussion to take place on the imminent bus strike. I want to do so in the presence of the Taoiseach. I know he is unavoidably absent today, but can I assume that he will be present in the morning?
It is always reasonable to assume that the Taoiseach will be where he ought to be at the time appointed.