Business of Dáil. Friday, 5 May 1933

Dáil Éireann Debate Vol. 47 No. 6 Page of 5

The President:    The business will be taken as on the Order Paper up to No. 3, Private Members' time to be taken by the Government.

Mr. Dillon:    Do I understand the President to say that he is not going to allow any time to-day for resuming the discussion of the motion with reference to the payment of rates and annuities?

The President:    Private Members' time is required in order to get through the business we have here.

Mr. Dillon:    The Estimates are scarcely a matter of urgency, I submit, with all respect to the President.

The President:    They are.

Parliamentary Secretary to the President (Mr. Little):    We are behind with the Estimates, as a matter of fact.

Mr. Dillon:    Will the President be prepared to say when he proposes to allow the discussion to be resumed?

The President:    I could not say at the moment. We shall have the Budget discussion next week.

Mr. Dillon:    Surely it is desirable that that motion should be disposed of one way or the other at the earliest possible opportunity.

Mr. Little:    May I point out that it was arranged with the Whip of the Party to which the Deputy belongs that there should be no Private Members time to-day?

Mr. Dillon:    I think I am not going beyond propriety when I take this occasion to ask the President, if there is to be no Private Members' time to-day, when he will afford a further opportunity of continuing the discussion [662] on that motion. I submit it is a matter of urgent public interest.

The President:    There are many things of urgent public interest, but we cannot get time for them all. It is a question of priority.

Mr. Dillon:    I submit that it is a matter of urgent importance that the motion should be concluded at the earliest possible moment and I ask the President when he will give time for its further discussion and termination.

The President:    I do not agree that it is of as urgent importance as other things we have to consider and until these are disposed of I cannot give time for that.

Mr. Dillon:    Then the President is not prepared to say that Private Members time will be allowed at any given time in future?

The President:    Not until we see how we get on.

Mr. Dillon:    I am not in a position to resist the President, but I think he is gravely mistaken in what he proposes to do.

Mr. Cosgrave:    When is the Budget to be introduced?

The President:    It is hoped to introduce it on Wednesday, 10th instant.

Mr. Cosgrave:    As first business?

The President:    I think it is usual to postpone it until about five o'clock. I cannot remember now exactly, but I think it has been the custom not to take it sharp at three o'clock. There may be one or two other items first.

Mr. Cosgrave:    It is a departure from precedent to take it at five o'clock.

The President:    I do not see any reason why we should depart from precedent. Whatever is the precedent will be followed. If I remember rightly I think there is a reason why it should not be taken immediately the Dáil meets. It is customary, I think, not to take it at three o'clock sharp. It will be taken after First Readings on Wednesday next.

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