It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 23 and 24 on the Order Paper. Private Members' Business will be taken from 6 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.
Order of Business.
Have you considered what happened yesterday in regard to a question of mine?
As I informed the Deputy yesterday, if he comes to my room I will explain the position to him.
I spoke with the Ceann Comhairle's secretary about it and he tried to explain it to me. The Ceann Comhairle is aware now that he made a serious mistake in rejecting my question. I hope he might take the opportunity now to apologise.
The Ceann Comhairle has made no mistake. I do not want to argue the subject here in the Dáil. If the Deputy comes to my room I will explain the position thoroughly to him.
The Ceann Comhairle should make his statement in the House, not in his room.
The Chair does not make any such statement in the House and I will not establish any precedent.
May I ask the Tánaiste when the Government intend to implement their promise that we could have a debate each month on the question of Ireland's entry to the EEC? The last debate took place three months ago. Is this a typical example of the promises we get from the Government?
The Taoiseach has outlined the arrangements for debate on the White Paper.
We were promised a debate here each month. Why do the Government not implement that promise?
There will be ample opportunity for debate on the EEC.
A specific promise was made in this House. Why did the Government not implement it? It is quite a simple matter. They promised a debate each month and it is three months since we have had a debate. In the meantime the Government are spending untold sums of public money to put their side of the case and nobody else is allowed to put any other side of the case.
We have had a very full discussion on the EEC and there was a very full discussion on the occasion of the Referendum Bill. The White Paper will be coming before the House for discussion, as the Deputy knows.
I am interested only that the Government carry out their promise. You cannot believe anything they tell you.
(Cavan): May I ask the Tánaiste when it is proposed to take No. 29 on the Order Paper, the Local Government (Planning and Development) (No. 2) Bill, 1969, which the former Deputy Boland told us in 1969 would be taken almost immediately?
The Minister for Local Government is still examining that Bill to see what needs to be done in relation to it.
(Cavan): Does the Tánaiste realise that the planning appeals system is in chaos and that the country is crying out for this Bill?
When will the debate on the White Paper take place? Is it intended to postpone it until after the referendum legislation has been put through the Seanad and, if so, when will that be, and why has it been postponed?
The Deputy should ask the Taoiseach that. I will ask the Taoiseach to give some indication.