Motion to Sit Late.
I do not know whether this debate is going to continue over to-morrow or whether Deputies would consider it an advantage to finish it to-night. If it is not finished at 9.30 could we get agreement to continue the debate until midnight?
Comment on this
If the debate is to continue beyond the usual hour for adjournment, 9.30, is it not necessary to suspend Standing Orders before a certain time?
Comment on this
Unfortunately time is pressing now. I move that the Dáil sit later than 11 p.m. to-night and that the Order for Adjournment be taken not later than midnight.
Comment on this
Is it not correct that when the Dáil meets at 3 o'clock Standing Orders must be suspended not later than 6.30 in order to keep the House in session to a later hour than 9.30?
Comment on this
We do not want to obstruct the discussion, or to interfere with the rights particularly of country members, but it would be far better if we had from the Taoiseach before this discussion comes to an end the names of the Departments over which his Ministers are going to preside. Through not having that information, we are at a disadvantage in this discussion.
Comment on this
I have tried to make it as clear as I possibly could that, in the main, the Ministers named there will retain the positions that they had. I pointed out that, in the case of the Department of Lands, the Minister for Education had for some time back held that office too, and that I now propose to put a Minister definitely in charge of the Department of Lands. There is good reason why I think that should be done. There may be some adjustments on that account, but, except for those adjustments, which I am not in a position at the moment to make, the persons who have been mentioned there as members of the Ministry will hold the offices which they held before dissolution.
Comment on this
I have told the Deputy that that is one of the adjustments which I will have to make as a result of taking the Department of Lands away from the Minister for Education. I cannot say definitely at the moment.
Comment on this
And the Taoiseach cannot say definitely whether the Minister for Co-ordination of Defensive Measures is to get any additional work?