It is proposed to take business as set out in the Order Paper in the following order: Nos. 1, 2, 3, 18 (Votes 55 and 56, 1 to 25 inclusive and 14), 9, 19, 20, 10 and 21. Questions will be taken at 3 o'clock. It is proposed to interrupt business after Questions to take No. 18 (Vote 14) and when that is completed to resume the order.
Order of Business.
Can the Taoiseach give any indication as to whether the Redistribution Bill is to be introduced before the recess?
I do not think so. I consulted with the Minister for Local Government and we certainly intended to take it in the Winter session. I am not sure that it is possible to say it will be ready in time for circulation before the resumption. It seems to me that would not be any advantage in view of the amount of legislation that has already to be dealt with, but if there is any point about it I can arrange to have a First Reading.
Is the Taoiseach aware that Leinster House is buzzing with rumours that it has been produced and that certain Deputies who are not members of the Government have copies of a map which they allege is the map?
I heard that five months ago.
Will the Deputy take my assurance that I have not seen the map? I think a map was prepared by Deputy O'Donnell when he was Minister for Local Government but I certainly have not seen a map which was recently prepared.
I have not seen the map to which the Taoiseach refers but it must have been on the files of the Department and released by the Minister for Local Government.
Would the Taoiseach take the First Reading so that, if it is prepared in the next month or so, it will not be circulated privately?
The Deputy knows it is not usual to arrange for a First Reading until the heads of the Bill have been approved by the Government and the Government have not yet approved of the heads. However, we shall discuss the possibility of having a title before the heads are approved and that would undoubtedly facilitate consideration of the matter.
The title of this is obvious.
Does the remark of the Taoiseach suggest that there will be other matters besides redistribution?
So far as I know, there will be nothing in the Bill except the consideration of the redistribution of the constituencies having regard to population changes.