This motion in the name of Senator Johnson is one to which we attach a good deal of importance. I would suggest, in view of the small attendance of Senators, that, provided we get agreement and if the Minister is agreeable, the motion should be postponed until our meeting on Wednesday next, and that it should appear on the Order Paper as the first business.
Unemployment Assistance (Employment Periods) Order—Motion to Annul.
The following motion appeared on the Order Paper in the name of Senator Johnson:—
That the Unemployment Assistance (Employment Periods) Order, 1936, laid on the Table of the Seanad on the 4th March, 1936, pursuant to Section 7 (3) of the Unemployment Assistance Act, 1933, shall be and is hereby annulled.
We have a number of rather important Bills which are to come before the House on Wednesday next. In view of that, I think it is hardly reasonable to ask that this motion should appear as the first business of the day.
Having suffered, as Senator Johnson has, in connection with motions which I have had on the Order Paper from time to time, I would like to say that I do not think it is unreasonable to ask that the motion should be so placed on the Order Paper as to ensure that it will come on early for discussion. If a motion such as this appears at the end of the Order Paper it is not likely to be discussed for some considerable time. The other business may occupy a great part of the day's sitting, and in the evening there may be only a sparse attendance of members. Although I have no particular interest in the motion, I think it is only reasonable that arrangements should be made so that it will come on early for discussion. I remember that a motion of mine appeared on the Order Paper for weeks. It was not possible to have a discussion on it until a definite order was made giving it an early place on the agenda.
This is a motion which really has the effect of legislation. In that way, it is different from an ordinary motion which is merely an expression of opinion.
In view of the fact that it is now only 5 o'clock it seems extraordinary that we should have such a small House. Members must not be interested in the motion if we have so few here at this hour. In view of that, I do not see why the time of the House should be wasted on another day bringing up the motion.
We have some Money Bills to deal with. They must be finished by Wednesday next. If the discussion on this motion were taken at 3 o'clock on Wednesday next and went on for some hours, time might not be found for dealing with all the Money Bills ordered for that day.
If the Cathaoirleach is referring to the Money Bills that are being carried over from to-day, I do not think that the remaining stages of them will take much time on Wednesday next.
In that case, the motion will come up for discussion after the Money Bills have been disposed of on Wednesday next.
The Seanad adjourned at 4.55 p.m. until Wednesday, 25th March, at 3 p.m.