The next business on the agenda is the adjournment of the Dáil.

On a point of order, I take it that when the adjournment is moved and seconded any Deputy is entitled to raise any point he likes on the adjournment.

That is the usual procedure.

There is no motion for adjournment, and I beg to move the suspension of the Standing Orders to allow of the resolution being taken.

I simply want the Chairman's ruling, because I am going to move the adjournment of the Debate. I move that this Dáil stands adjourned until 3 o'clock to-morrow.

seconded.

Before that Motion was moved, I moved the suspension of the Standing Orders. I submit that that Motion must be taken.

There was nothing before the Dáil. This is the Motion before the Dáil—the adjournment of the Dáil.

There was a definite understanding before we adjourned as to the procedure. I submit that no Member is going to ask the Dáil to break that understanding.

No. I simply want that understanding carried out. The Postal Strike is a very important business and it was agreed that on the Motion for the adjournment it could be debated.

I gave you notice early in the morning that I proposed to ask for the suspension of Standing Orders to allow a specific motion to be moved. After a discussion there was a general understanding that this motion would be dealt with on resuming after the adjournment for tea. Is not that so?

That is so—that the matter could be discussed on the motion for the adjournment.

The matter I asked for permission to move on was to be discussed.

It seems to me there is a certain amount of confusion as to what was the matter to be raised on the adjournment. I understand Deputy Johnson requires a vote on this. I presume it is with that intention he is moving the suspension of the Standing Orders.

I think the position is very clear, very clear indeed. We were in the middle of a discussion before we adjourned for tea. We either have to resume that discussion or to allow me to move the suspension of the Standing Orders so that this particular Motion shall be proceeded with. The understanding was very distinct. This motion that I have given notice of should be debated, and as I now have suggested to you a vote teken upon it. Then a motion for the adjournment will be in order, and any discussions such as the Deputy suggests might be proceeded with.

Am I right in stating that you rule that this Post Office business would not come up on a Motion, on the Orders of the Day, but that it would come up on the Motion for Adjournment? I have moved the adjournment to allow Deputy Johnson to raise the question of the Post Office.

I will allow Deputy Johnson to test the feeling of the Dáil by moving for the suspension of Standing Orders. If Standing Orders are suspended, he can move his Motion; if not, he cannot.

You ruled this morning that the question of the Post Office strike could not he taken.

The Deputy is entirely astray. I am not proposing to discuss the Post Office strike.

Are we entitled to go on to the Orders of the Day and discuss the President's statement?

Yes; but if the Deputy asks the leave of the Dáil to move the temporary suspension of Standing Orders, that Motion will be received.

Would a Deputy be entitled to go on now discussing the President's statement? That is the business before the Dáil.

Yes.

I have moved the adjournment of that debate.

Does that satisfy Mr. Johnson?

Not at all. I ask the permission of the Dáil to move a definite Motion.

If I would not be considered biassed in this matter, I would suggest, apart from the question of strict propriety, that it is desirable that Deputy Johnson have an opportunity of putting a definite Motion. If you merely raise the matter on the adjournment there will be a vague discussion reaching nowhere. I consider the suspension of the Standing Orders with a view to a definite discussion of this thing, ending in a definite vote, is highly desirable.

I have no wish whatever to suppress discussion. I have already said I am prepared to receive a Motion for the suspension of Standing Orders in order to discuss this question.

I move the suspension of Standing Orders in order to allow that the following Motion be discussed:

"That this Dáil repudiates the statement issued by the Minister for Home Affairs beginning with the words, ‘The Government does not recognise the right of Civil Servants to strike.'"

I beg to second that.

The Deputy moves the suspension of the Standing Orders. This is a matter of the Orders of the Day.

I beg your pardon; that was my intention.

I should like the Dáil, if possible, would agree on the time for adjournment. I myself suggest 8.45, so that we may be adjourned by 9 o'clock.

On a motion for the adjournment, is not any Deputy entitled to raise any question he likes, and the discussion may last till midnight?

We are prepared to accept the Chairman's suggestion, although we have lost a quarter of an hour.

At 8.45 this Motion will be put.