It is proposed to take business in the following order: No. 16, Votes 37, 42 and 42; Nos. 3, 4, 17, 18 and 20. Private Members' Business from 6 p.m. to 7.30 p.m., Nos. 31 and 30. It is proposed to take No. 16 and the accompanying Votes from after Questions until 6 p.m.
Order of Business.
On the Order of Business would the Taoiseach be prepared to reconsider his decision not to allow time to debate the Northern situation particularly in view of the fact that it was debated in Westminster yesterday? Could he indicate whether it is proposed to have a debate in the immediate future?
As far as Westminster is concerned the debate which took place yesterday followed a system they have whereby on ballot a Member's Private Motion may be taken and as it happened the motion put down by the Unionist Member for Antrim was pulled out of the that and the subsequent debate which took place was completely fortuitous. We have happily emerged from a period of violence in the North when people were injured, property was damaged and destroyed and lives were lost, into a period of relative calm and I do not think we should do anything to upset it. I think a debate now might, and that is why I do not think a debate should take place just now.
The Taoiseach must admit that during a long debate last year no such thing as he described might happen did in fact happen at that time. The Dáil has shown itself to be a responsible House.
What does the Deputy want to produce in a debate? The Deputy had an opportunity last week of stating his party's position and he did not take full opportunity to do so.
The Taoiseach's party complained that I took too long.
I am talking about the situation in the North. The Deputy came along and referred to happenings down here which were not relevant.
It was entirely relevant but because it hit the Taoiseach and his party it was thought to be irrelevant.
Would it not be better to have a debate now when there is relative peace and calm?
Are we going to debate it every week? We had a debate last week.
The Taoiseach refused to have one.
Statements were made last week by the leaders of each party. I felt then, and I still feel, that they were able to speak on behalf of members of their own party. I do not think anything useful could be done by having a debate now.
They had a quarter of an hour each.
Is the Taoiseach suggesting he is afraid of irresponsible statements by members of his own party?
I am not afraid of irresponsible statements by anybody but I think that, with the period of calm which now obtains, we should do nothing here which might in any way tend to upset it. I do not see what good effect a debate here would have on the situation.
Is the Taoiseach going to stand idly by?
I should like to raise the subject matter of the answer to Question No. 99 on last Thursday's Order Paper on the Adjournment.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
Can the Taoiseach indicate when it is proposed to resume discussion of the Government motion on the EEC?
I suggest next week or the week after. I will leave it to the Whips to arrange in accordance with the business that has to be done.
It is important that the EEC be discussed.
I agree.
It will be over before the debate is over.
That is the Deputy's attitude to it.
I am consistent anyway.
So are we.