It is proposed to take No. 1 on the Order Paper.

I take it that it is understood and agreed that Motion No. 5 on the Report on Investment in Education will be taken tomorrow week and that in conjunction with No. 5, Motion No. 9 will be discussed. For the purpose of facilitating the business of the House motion No. 9 is being withdrawn and substituted by two different motions so as to exclude from the scope of the debate anything relating to university education until such time as the Report of the Commission on Higher Education is out. I want it to be understood that we are asking to have it taken with the other motion and I want the agreement of the House on that.

The Senator is giving notice of the withdrawal of motion No. 9?

Yes. I take it that it is agreed that the substitute motion in so far as it relates to matters other than higher education will be discussed with No. 5?

Yes, the Chair will accept that.

This does not conform to the information given to the House the last day when I inquired whether the business on Thursday would be exclusively motion No. 7, which is item No. 5 on today's Order Paper. I have no objection to its being taken with the other motion, but I cannot answer for the proposer, Senator Quinlan. Personally, I would be agreeable to have the motions taken together if the portion suggested by Senator O'Quigley relating to university education were excised.

It is a matter for the Leader of the House.

The motion referred to by Senator O'Quigley in its amended form seems to deal with the subjects which will inevitably be dealt with under Senator Ó Conalláin's motion. Consequently, it is reasonable to take them both together.

Has Senator Quinlan been consulted on this? Is it necessary to do so?

He is not here to be consulted.

Before there is a decision, I gather the Leader of the House proposes to take No. 1. I am objecting to the Order of Business. This nonsense has gone on long enough. The Government's outrageous flouting of democratic procedure in this House and outside it has to be seen to be believed.

The Senator is only looking for publicity.

There has been a motion on the Order Paper since last October dealing with this matter of the farmers and the Department of Agriculture.

The Senator is out of order. The question before the House is that No. 1 be proceeded with.

I challenge that.

Vótáil.

On a matter of clarification, before voting on this, might I inquire from the Leader of the House, through you, Sir, whether the Labour Party made any specific request to the Leader of the House for time for this motion today?

The only question before the Chair is that the Order of Business be agreed.

Last Wednesday, Sir, the Leader of the House was asked about making time available as soon as possible for this motion.

Not specifically for today.