It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 6 and 7. Private Members' Business will be taken from 7 p.m. to 8.30 p.m., No. 12 by agreement.
Order of Business.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Could the Taoiseach tell us if the Government propose to reintroduce the Transport Bill which was on the Order Paper when the Dáil was dissolved?
I cannot identify the Bill by the title. Could the Deputy indicate what that particular Bill was dealing with?
(Cavan-Monaghan): It was a Bill introduced for the purpose of liberalising transport.
That is being considered at the moment.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Will the Taoiseach be in a position to make a statement shortly?
I cannot say, but the Bill will be reintroduced in a different form. It will not be exactly as it was.
(Cavan-Monaghan): I understand that there are many transport undertakings in the country who would like to know as soon as possible where they stand in the matter.
It will be introduced in due time. I cannot say exactly when.
I wish to give notice of my intention to raise on the adjournment Question No. 564 of the 15th November, to the Minister for Education.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
In view of the fact that the Order Paper is grossly overwhelmed with over 400 questions obviously the whole idea of Question Time is lost in the sense of urgency and Deputies of all parties are to some extent obstructed in their work in their constituencies and also in the House. Would the Taoiseach consider putting the matter of the reconsideration of the whole idea of Question Time to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges to see if we could get to a stage where questions are finished in the one week, something on the lines where one finishes all the questions on Thursday, or some other device?
Would the Taoiseach consider reverting to the position as it was in 1969 and in 1973 where the backlog of questions which were put down during the Recess could be dealt with? Would the Taoiseach consider having Thursday afternoons set aside so that Questions could be considered from 2.30 p.m. to 5 o'clock?
We cannot have a debate on this.
In reply to Deputy Browne, I will ask the Parliamentary Secretary to raise the matter at the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.