It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 2,3,16,21 and 17. It is no harm to remind the House that the Dáil will meet tomorrow morning at 10.30 a.m.
Order of Business.
What about Thursday?
As regards Thursday and Friday, I suggest the Whips might meet today to have a further discussion and make arrangements.
Questions tomorrow at 2.30 p.m.?
No, 3 p.m.
Has the decision been made by the house that the Dáil will rise at the end of this week?
Yes.
When was the decision made?
The Deputy should look up the proceedings.
When I announced the arrangements in regard to the Finance Bill.
I do not think it was.
Last week, I raised this point deliberately, so that the Taoiseach would be forewarned, as to whether the House would be given notice, through an announcement by the Taoiseach, as to when the House would rise. So far, if the Taoiseach looks at the records of the House, he will find there is no decision on record that the House would rise during the present week until October. In view of the fact that the House has taken no decision, how is it that public bodies such as Radio Éireann and Telefís Éireann are entitled to announce, as official announcements, that this House has made the decision that certain legislation will be postponed until next October or November, when this House made no such decision?
Since this is the last week of sitting, might I ask the Taoiseach is he now in a position to indicate to the House the approximate date of the general election?
Yes—autumn, 1966.
Do not get cross.
I cannot be more definite than that.
You will not be able to stagger along until autumn, 1963.
On the Order of Business, we have not been concerned in these discussions at all, we do not know the reasons as to why this decision has been taken. Could the Taoiseach say, in the light of the fact that there is so much business to be discussed, what is the urgency about ending the business of the House this week?
I informed the House that there has been a general discussion between Parties regarding the business of this session, as a result of which certain agreements were made which I communicated to the House.
The House has received no communication to that effect. No motion has been moved by the Taoiseach in this House that the adjournment take place on Thursday or Friday, or any other such time. It is normal, I understand from the proceedings in the past, that such announcements are made here in the House. Would the Taoiseach undertake to remedy that position so that the normal procedure will be adhered to?
It is intended the House will adjourn on Friday.
Is the Taoiseach now formally putting that to the House?
No.
Do we take it that the House takes no decision in regard to sittings, that it is a matter purely for the Government?
I presume the motion for the adjournment can be challenged but these arrangements were made to meet the convenience of all Deputies who were represented at these discussions. The Deputy will appreciate that there will be a 12-hour debate on the Fifth Stage of the Finance Bill which will afford an opportunity for a general discussion, if it is desired.
Should the Taoiseach not give notice of motion that it is the Government's intention or the intention of the House to adjourn on a particular day?
The Deputy may assume that the regular procedure will be followed.
Could I have information on the Supplementary Estimate for Industry and Commerce? Is it proposed to take that on Thursday?
That is one of the matters about which I should like to have some discussions. My desire is to meet the convenience of other Parties in this regard and to order the Estimate whenever it is regarded by them as most suitable.
Is it a question of having a full discussion on it now or having a full discussion on it later on?
The intention is to pass this Estimate.
A sufficiency of time will be available?
I have suggested the Whips might meet to-day to discuss the business to be taken after Wednesday.