Could the Minister give any indication of when it is intended to circulate the Estimate?
Supplementary Estimate: Leave to Introduce.
Leave granted to introduce the following Supplementary Estimate for the service of the year ending on the 31st day of December, 1975, namely:—
Vote No.:—
27 (Local Government).
—Minister for Local Government.
It should be in the hands of Deputies in a few minutes.
We agreed to accept this Supplementary Estimate but the position is rather unusual in that there is a possibility of our having to consider this Estimate in an hour or an hour-and-a-half at most. It is very short notice.
There is nothing contentious in it as, I am sure, Deputies opposite will agree when they see it. I am also sure they will pass it quite speedily.
Is there anything about amenity grants in it?
There is no difficulty about those in the west.
Would the Chair allow me to interrupt for a moment in relation to the pattern of business? I overheard what Deputy Lalor said and I would like to make it clear that the Opposition were informed last week that it was our intention to do business in this way today and no objection was raised.
If the Parliamentary Secretary had listened when he was rushing around he would have heard what I said. The Deputy Party Leader asked the Minister the extent of the Supplementary Estimate and the reply was to the effect that it would be in our hands shortly. He could not even give the little information asked for. Surely it is in order to protest at that.
I do not disagree with Deputy Lalor but the Opposition were not taken short in regard to the business ordered.
I never said that. The Government are running short of money every week.