Order of Business.
It is proposed to take the business as on the Order Paper, Nos. 1 to 8 inclusive, Private Deputies' business to be taken at 8 o'clock, or immediately on completion of public business. I think it has been arranged that Vote 72—Emergency Scientific Research Bureau—copies of which have been circulated—be taken at 6 o'clock.
Comment on this
Would the Tánaiste indicate what are the proposals for the Christmas recess? Is the House likely to adjourn this week or next week?
Comment on this
It would be very hard to say when that will come up, because there are a number of other motions in front of it. It may not come up until this time 12 months.
Comment on this
There will be time enough in February if the Taoiseach says we are not having a general election.
Comment on this
If there were any feeling in the House generally that the matter is of such urgency that we should meet on Friday to discuss it, I should certainly be glad to discuss it with the Deputy or anybody else who is particularly interested in the matter of arranging time.
Comment on this
The Tánaiste has suggested that it should be discussed after the recess. I want to know whether the Tánaiste will say that before embarking on an election he will give us an opportunity of deciding the matter by free vote of the House?
Comment on this
I said, in answer to a question, that there is not going to be an election—of course, I cannot foresee some extraordinary thing that might happen—before the reassembly of the Dáil.
Comment on this
As far as this motion is concerned, I want to say that I thought we would have been asked before this for time to discuss it. Since the motion was put down, I expected we would be asked to give time for it, and I was prepared to give that time, but it is only mentioned now when the adjournment has been arranged for. However, if there is any feeling in the House that this matter should be discussed, an arrangement can be made with the Whips.
Comment on this
Will the Taoiseach say that there will be an opportunity given to the House to debate this question and express its opinion on it before dissolution?
Comment on this
I have told the House that there will be no general election before we reassemble. In fact, I told the House already my view with regard to a general election when we were discussing this question of elections. It is to this effect, that we ought not to have a general election until a reasonable time before the date on which the law provides that this House should, in fact, be dissolved.