I move under Standing Order 21 that the Dáil sit until 2 a.m. tomorrow morning, 27th November, unless all Stages of the Tourist Traffic Bill and Motion No. 5 concerning the UCC statute are passed earlier.
Private Members' Business. - Motion for Late Sitting.
We have no objection to sitting late except that it is rather remarkable that the Taoiseach and the Government should have put in two items that were required with such urgency at this hour of the night and there was a motion a while ago that took almost half-an-hour and there was no need for it and no urgency about it. I would ask why did the Minister for Transport and Power not accept the offer from our party two weeks ago to finish the Bill that evening if it is so urgent now?
The statute has to be disallowed within a certain stage and it only came to light recently. It was only published.
The Tourist Traffic Bill?
As Deputy Leonard knows and as I am sure Deputy Lalor knows, when the debate was in progress two weeks ago both Deputy Leonard and I had been invited to a dinner and I understood that it would facilitate him as well as me if we got out in time to attend the dinner.
On that occasion we were asked would we take all Stages of the Bill and I checked with the Whip and we agreed and we were very much surprised when the Committee Stage was not proceeded with following the Second Reading.
When I saw the hour was going so late I only asked for the Second Stage because I understood that Deputy Leonard was in a hurry the same as I was. We were both paired that night, I think.
No, because I had even checked back with the Whip and he asked me why arrangements had been made for taking all Stages and in fact the Committee Stage was not taken.
There was a misunderstanding. I understood the Deputy was in a hurry also.
We have no objection.
It may not be necessary to sit late but the motion has to be moved before 8.30.
Motion put and agreed to.