At Question Time yesterday, I asked the Taoiseach whether he would be prepared to make Government time available for a discussion of two motions standing in the names of Deputy Tully and myself concerning the admission of the elected representatives of the people in the six north eastern counties to the Dáil. The Taoiseach, I think, indicated that he had not had an opportunity of considering the matter and he asked me to repeat my question to-day. Is the Taoiseach in a position to make a statement in relation to the matter to-day?
Private Deputies' Motions.
We are not prepared to give Government time for the discussion of these motions. It is not usual to allow time for the discussion of Private Members' Motions when financial business is in progress. As the Deputy is aware, the financial business has been delayed this year. In any event, these motions in which the Deputy is interested are not the first on the Private Members' List. There is, I think, a precedent that might enable an arrangement to be made. I suggest that, with the consent of the Chair, the subject-matter of these motions could be discussed upon the Estimate for the Department of the Taoiseach and, by arrangement, a separate vote could be taken on the motions without further discussion if a vote is desired.
Is the Tánaiste aware that the Taoiseach of the last Government gave an assurance to the House that Government time would be made available in the course of this session for the discussion of these two motions? Has he taken that into account in reaching a decision not to make Government time available?
The Taoiseach of the last Government must have attached more importance to the motions than we do.
That is quite obvious from the answer to the question. I do not think that is something to boast about.
You had three years to do something about it.