It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 2, 11, 13, 14 and 12.
Order of Business.
On the Order of Business, last week we were notified that the business would be: Finance Bill on Report, School Attendance Bill on Committee Stage, Gaeltacht Housing Bill Second Stage, Agriculture Estimate debate and the Livestock Marts Bill. On that assumption Deputies made other engagements. This morning the business was notified with the Livestock Marts Bill second but since then it has been put back. The Taoiseach will appreciate that it is difficult to make arrangements with this changing at short notice. In this case the notice was given this morning and it was different from the schedule given last Friday.
I am not aware about the schedule which was given which included the debate on the Estimate for Agriculture but I am aware that as a result of conversations with members of the Fine Gael Party and the Oireachtas Office, the Livestock Marts Bill was not taken fourth in order to facilitate the situation Deputy Cosgrave alluded to.
It was fifth on Friday.
On the assumption, and I think it reasonable to assume, that the debate on Agriculture would have taken a considerable length of time, it was unlikely that it would be reached tomorrow. It will now be reached early this evening. There is reason for Deputies objecting to business being taken in a changed order when they have made other commitments.
As far as we can gather, it is intended, whether or not it is arranged, that this will be the second last sitting week of the Dáil. I want to raise the matter of the urgency or otherwise of the Livestock Marts Bill. We have not been told yet the reason for it and certainly not the reason for its urgency. I am not aware, nor are my Party members or the general public, of the great demand. What I want to raise with the Taoiseach is that while we do not believe there is urgency about passing the Livestock Marts Bill, we do believe there is urgency for the Redundancy Bill. We have urged on the Government and on the Minister for Labour to try to dispose of this Bill in view of the fact that there is an urgent demand for it, as many men have become redundant this year, in view of the fact that there are 4,500 more unemployed and that between now and the autumn there will be others who will become redundant. All the Government want to do is disservice to the community as a whole. We believe the Redundancy Payments Bill should be given priority over the Livestock Marts Bill for which I see no real demand.
I should like to support Deputy Corish and to remind the Taoiseach that one of his Deputies, Deputy Molloy, made a special appeal that the Redundancy Payments Bill should pass through all its Stages quickly, particularly in view of the situation in Galway.
The Minister for Labour is at present attending the International Labour Conference in Geneva. I understand from him that he would require some time to consider amendments submitted during the Recess in order to ensure that there would be full understanding of the implications of the Redundancy Payments Bill and in order to ensure that mature consideration would be given to every aspect of it. That was his main reason for seeking to have the Committee Stage taken after the Recess. There is urgency for the Livestock Marts Bill.
What is it?
What is it?
This is a matter for the Minister to explain on Second Stage. I am entitled to order the business, and if Deputies object to the order, they have a remedy. I do not have to explain the Bill on the Order of Business.
May I make a further point?
I have to ask you, Sir, to take the Order of Business as proposed. I cannot reply to a barrage of questions.
May I say that we can only take the Taoiseach at his word and the Minister for Labour at his word who say that it may not be possible to make the necessary arrangements for the operation of the Redundancy Payments Bill? We think it should have been done long ago, but that is neither here nor there now. There was no indication from the Minister for Labour that this Bill with regard to redundancy would have retrospective effect. We are prepared to sit here into July, or for whatever length it takes, to ensure that those who will become redundant between now and 1st January will get compensation. There is redundancy and a threat of redundancy in the country. May I say to the Taoiseach that there is also the fact that there are some unscrupulous employers sacking men, and if and when the Redundancy Payments Bill is in operation, they will be liable for some payment in order to ensure that workers will get compensation by way of redundancy payments.
That situation can be taken care of on Committee Stage.
Would the Taoiseach consider consulting with his colleagues about retrospection in relation to this Redundancy Payments Bill?
The Deputy can bring that to the notice of the Minister for Labour.
The business was notified on last Friday in one order; now we notice the order is changed on Tuesday. Deputies have a complaint with regard to changing the order without notice. I do not object to the Government fixing the Order of Business, but to the fact that the Order of Business is altered without notice.
I offer my apologies if the business has been altered. I left the office early on Friday and returned this morning and I have no knowledge of the Order of Business mentioned. What I said was that business was suggested in a certain form and at the request of the Fine Gael Front Bench it was amended to the order I now propose.
(Cavan): May I ask the Taoiseach when it is proposed to order No. 1, the Planning Appeals Bill, 1967?
After the Summer recess.
(Cavan): There is a considerable demand for this Bill and I would ask the Taoiseach to order the First Stage for this week, or before the Recess, so that the Bill may be printed and circulated.
I shall consider that.
Business will be taken in the following order: Nos. 2, 11, 13, 14 and 12: the Minister for Finance to make a statement, by permission.