With regard to the business for next week there was a suggestion by Senator Hayes tonight, which I have considered and am prepared to accept, if we can have an understanding that Senator Hayes can speak for all the satellite sections over there.
Business of Seanad.
We object to that.
The idea is that we should take the Report Stage of the Constitution Amendment Bill from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday next, 18th March, and that after tea, we begin consideration of the Central Fund Bill and continue until 10 o'clock. It is proposed that we then adjourn until 10.30 a.m. on Thursday when we shall resume consideration of the Constitution Amendment Bill, taking the Report and Final Stages and concluding them before the luncheon adjournment at 1.30 p.m. It is suggested that we meet again at 3 p.m. and resume consideration of the Central Fund Bill. I should like some understanding as to when, on that night, it will be possible for the Minister to conclude the debate and I suggest that the Minister should be allowed to conclude not later than 10 p.m., if that would meet with the approval of the House.
I think it is unfortunate that Senator Ó Maoláin used certain words in the particular atmosphere when he was putting the proposal. I am not able to speak for everybody here by definition. By definition, of course, I am not, and I can say no more than that I will do my very best to see that that arrangement is carried out. I made it to-day myself. There is one point about it, however. The Central Fund Bill gives the Seanad an opportunity of discussing certain matters which it is given no other opportunity to discuss, except on the Appropriation Bill. The Dáil, of course, discusses the Estimates; the Seanad does not, and while it might be desirable that the Minister should get in at 10 o'clock on Thursday night, I do not see any method by which one could be certain that will happen. I think what I said this afternoon is— I have not got it before me now—that if it was decided to resume on Thursday at 3 o'clock on the Central Fund Bill and if the debate could not be concluded on Thursday, if it is thought necessary, it could be concluded on Friday morning. Personally, I am not enamoured of that suggestion, but it might be the only possible alternative.
It might be possible for the Minister to get in at 10 o'clock on Thursday night, but I am not sure. My own contribution to that debate will be small and so I am speaking personally, but I want to be quite clear that I am not giving any guarantee that I can control everybody on this side of the House. I cannot; I am glad I cannot do it, if that is any satisfaction to anybody.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
I suggest it would be better to leave this arrangement until next week.
I do not see much point in the House hoping to reach that very desirable conclusion, unless there is a limitation on the length of speeches. I have certain members of the House in mind——
No, no.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
I suggest Senator Ó Maoláin should leave the problem as it is and perhaps next week we shall all be in better humour.
I am in excellent humour, but at the same time, I do not want any misunderstanding to arise next week——
You are going the right way about it.
I do not want Senator Quinlan to allege that his liberty has been infringed or that he is being denied his right to speak because he did not get in at 6 o'clock and was not getting any concession in return.
Would it not be well to have a firm agreement to which all the members will subscribe and not to cast any reflections on anybody? Could we not have a firm agreement in which everybody would participate?
I just want to make the point that so far this year we have spent at most eight or ten hours discussing Government policy and economic development and surely it seems a great infringement on the liberty of the Seanad to suggest that three hours on Wednesday and six hours on Thursday—nine in all—are sufficient to discuss the most important development of the year, the Government's economic plans as revealed in the Central Fund Bill.
I was about to suggest that normally I think two days are allotted to this debate and if there was a guarantee from this side of the House that if the debate did not finish on Thursday night, it would be possible to allow the Minister in at noon on Friday, it might meet the situation.
Could we not sit until midnight on Thursday?
No; I do not think you can make a firm decision to-night.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
Let us leave it at it is until next week, and please God, we shall do the best we can on Thursday.
The Seanad adjourned at 9.25 p.m. until 3 o'clock on Wednesday, 18th March, 1959.