It is proposed to take No. 2.
Order of Business.
Is there any arrangement about finishing?
Acting Chairman
I have not heard anything.
What we were hoping for, in view of the fact that the Taoiseach will not be available for this evening, is that we could finish the Finance Bill by the end of this sitting.
Does that mean the discussion on the Finance Bill will be separate from the discussion on the Appropriation Bill? Does that mean that discussion on both will be finished this evening?
It has already been decided that there will be only one discussion.
I do not mind how long it takes but if it continues after 6 p.m. I shall not be available and I will have to make arrangements for a Minister to be present.
I am sure we are all anxious to facilitate the Taoiseach but the position regarding the Appropriation Bill is most unsatisfactory. Perhaps we could arrive at a compromise by which we could give the Finance Bill and, technically, the Appropriation Bill if the Leader of the House would give an assurance that the motions which have been gathering dust on the Order Paper for more than a year, relating to full employment and other important matters, would be given reasonable time in the early New Year so that we could have a full and adequate discussion on them.
I do not know how many Senators propose to speak on the Finance Bill but it would seem to me that we are aiming at finishing it rather abruptly. We all realise that the Taoiseach has a lot of other matters to attend to and it would be quite understandable if he was reppresented here by another Minister. I have a feeling that this debate, which usually goes on for three days, would be badly curtailed if it were cut to two.
I do not notice very many from your side offering themselves to speak.
I notice that the major Opposition Party are evidently in deep conclave but I feel it would be a mistake for us not to continue the discussion if necessary. Even Senator Ó Donnabháin might make a long speech.
I never do.
My only anxiety is that I cannot be here after 6 o'clock.
If there was some certainty that the debate would finish on Friday evening I would be glad to be here during the day. Senators will appreciate that otherwise I would have to arrange for another Minister to reply this evening.
It has been usual to sit on Friday morning if that proved necessary.
Perhaps we should proceed with the discussion on the Bill?
Perhaps the matter could be cleared by lunch time and we can arrange it then?
Perhaps a good deal of the debate could be transferred over to a debate on the NIEC report which is open for discussion?