Order of Business. Thursday, 9 April 1970

Dáil Eireann Debate Vol. 245 No. 7 Page of 40

An Tánaiste:    It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 10, 11 and 12. Questions at 2.30 p.m.

Mr. Cluskey:    On the Order of Business, may I ask the Tánaiste does he not regard the decision conveyed to us yesterday that the Dáil would not sit on Tuesday next as a most irresponsible decision in view of the fact that we cannot deal with the Estimates and Private Members' time is being curtailed? Therefore, will the Government reconsider this decision?

Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach (Mr. O'Malley):    It appears that it would suit the convenience of the overwhelming majority of Members of the House that the Dáil should not sit on Tuesday.

Mr. Corish:    It suits Fianna Fáil.

Mr. Cluskey:    I would point out that there was no consultation about this matter; I was informed.

Mr. O'Malley:    It is a matter for the Government to order business.

Mr. Cluskey:    Then the Government are accepting full responsibility for not acting in a responsible way in this matter?

The Tánaiste:    There was a general understanding on this. The great majority of Deputies favoured this course.

Mr. O'Malley:    This House will not be run just to suit the Labour Party.

[1144]Mr. Corish:    Will the Tánaiste say when was the last occasion the House decided not to sit when a by-election was being held?

The Tánaiste:    I cannot remember.

Mr. Boland:    There are a lot of precedents for this.

Dr. O'Donovan:    I do not think so. I remember very important by-elections.

Mr. Corish:    It suited Fianna Fáil.

Mr. Cluskey:    We cannot discuss the Estimates or we cannot get Private Members' time. When it suits the interests of Fianna Fáil they could not care less about the business of the House.

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