The Taoiseach will remember that on 18th December, 1974, the day on which we adjourned when we took all the appropriation accounts and a substantial number of Estimates en bloc without discussion I asked him to consider debating the Finance and Public Services Estimates. It is now well into the session and I should like to ask the Taoiseach, with reference to the reply he gave me on that occasion, to have those Estimates brought before the House for proper discussion. The Estimates involved were roughly those Nos. 1-20 on the Order Paper previously.
Business of Dáil.
As I explained on that occasion, and probably the Deputy knows this now, we have been in communication with the Opposition on this matter. We are sitting three days each week, including a 12-hour day on Wednesdays. We made certain suggestions for the dispatch of business but with the exception of an agreement to consider the Law Reform Bill at a special committee we have not adopted the committee system for a Bill although it was recommended in the report of the all-party group under the chairmanship of Deputy O'Malley. In fact, the only changes of substance in that has been the granting of three hours per week for Private Members' Business. This is now available throughout the year and it includes financial business, contrary to the previous practice. I think the Deputy will have to consult with his colleagues and see whether it is possible to work out a more expeditious arrangement for the dispatch of business.
May I submit this vital point to the Taoiseach? What is involved here is the matter of expenditure of all the moneys voted in the budget. Here is the vital question of the application of the taxpayers' money. Surely that should be a priority matter for public discussion in this House, not only for the benefit of all Deputies but for the benefit of the public who are paying. I submit that point of view to the Taoiseach. With respect, I do not think it is good enough that it should be relegated either to a committee behind closed doors or to Private Members' time. That suggests we are losing all sense of proportion.
That is not suggested.
It is not an accusation.
What is suggested is that public business time is absorbed by giving three hours each week to Private Members' Business. I have pointed out that the all-party committee recommended that certain Bills be transferred to special committees in order to relieve the pressure on the time of the House. When Estimates were brought forward, the Deputy's leader expressed the view that we were absorbing too much time having Estimates proceeding simultaneously and that we should try to conclude one Estimate before we reached another one. Unfortunately as far as we are concerned it seems that irrespective of the order in which we produce business it does not satisfy the Opposition.
I understand completely the Taoiseach's point of view, that there are a number of Estimates that do not demand the same attention. I want to focus attention on the importance of the Finance and Public Services group of Estimates because it is here we come up against the whole question of the application of funds collected by taxation. I suggest that is public business of first-class priority and importance. I submit this point of view to the Taoiseach, understanding his difficulties and appreciating that other public business such as certain Bills must be considered. It is a matter of proportion and I would ask the Taoiseach to give it urgent consideration.
We could very easily have ordered an Estimate such as the one Deputy de Valera described yesterday and, by doing so, I could have released a large number of Government Deputies for other work. However, we chose to do "crunch" business which could have resulted in votes—that were skilfully avoided by the Opposition spokesman. The Capital Gains Tax Bill proceeded at a snail's pace, but we were doing serious business. A year ago when we had Estimates during a by-election period we were criticised for "wasting the time of the House". Now we are criticised for not wasting the time of the House.
The Deputy should realise he is in Leinster House, not Earlsfort Terrace. This is politics, not academics.
No sneers about professors. Your party was founded by a professor.
We cannot debate this matter this morning. I am calling Item No. 1.