Business will be taken as follows: No. 1 (Votes 47-65, inclusive).
Order of Business.
On the Order of Business——
What particular item does the Deputy wish to refer to?
I wish to refer to a motion in my name in connection with the right of franchise in the Garda Síochána. In view of the statement made by the Minister for Local Government, does the Minister propose to introduce the necessary legislation to amend the Electoral Act in order to give the right of franchise to the Garda Síochána?
That is a question that should be put down. I should get notice of any matter that will be raised in this fashion. The Deputy did not give me any notice whatsoever. It does not arise relevantly on the Order of Business.
This is a motion which has been on the Order Paper for quite a long time.
All that the Deputy may ask the Taoiseach is when he proposes to allow time for such things.
I will raise it to-morrow and I will notify the Chair in the meantime.
I will tell the Deputy of the decision which I shall reach.
It is not such a terrible matter as all that.
The Deputy raised the matter before, ostensibly on the Order of Business, but it had no relevancy on the Order of Business.
As this motion has been on the Order Paper for so long——
That is not my concern.
——surely I am entitled to ask the Taoiseach when time will be given for it?
I told the Deputy the last time.
Can I now ask the Taoiseach whether or not it is the intention of the Government to give this right to vote prior to the holding of the local elections?
That is an entirely different matter.
In view of the statement made by two prominent Ministers that it was intended to give that right, am I not entitled to ask——
The Deputy is attempting to indulge in a discussion on the Order of Business.
I resent that, a Cheann Comhairle.
I have told the Deputy what he is entitled to ask the Taoiseach. I will not allow political matters to be raised on the Order of Business.
May I ask the Taoiseach the question, when time is going to be given for motion No. 2 on the Order Paper?
When the urgent business has been disposed of.
The Guards have a vote for the local elections.
They are not in a position to exercise that vote.
Of course they are.
In many cases they do it.