To-day at Question Time I asked the Taoiseach if he would allocate public time in the immediate future for discussion of a motion of censure on the Minister for Industry and Commerce and the Department of Industry and Commerce for not taking effective steps to control the cost of living and I wish to repeat that request now to the Taoiseach. Will he make public time available for discussion of this very important matter?
Order of Business.
The usual procedure is to put down a motion and then ask for time for it.
I want to know from the Taoiseach if he is prepared to allocate public time for that matter.
Would Deputy Cowan not consider framing this motion as a condemnation of the Deputies who have kept in office the Government that promised to reduce the cost of living by 30 per cent?
We are dealing with our responsibilities.
That is your responsibility.
Does the Ceann Comhairle rule that I should put down a motion?
I am not ruling that the Deputy should put down a motion but I am ruling—when the Deputy resumes his seat—that no matter of policy of that nature can be raised by a side wind. If the Deputy has a desire to put down a motion, let him do so. I am not saying that he should do so. He should not raise it in that fashion.
I will put down a motion and then ask for time.
If you do not, I will put it down for you.
It is proposed to take Items 3, 4 and 6.