It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 12 (resumed) and 13; Private Members' Business from 7 p.m. to 8.30 p.m., Motion No. 39, by agreement.
Order of Business.
Would it be possible for you to allow time for this House to discuss the tragedy that is happening in education——
I have replied to the Deputy's earlier question in that regard and I have nothing further to add. It is not a matter for the Chair in any event.
It is vital that this matter be dealt with on the Order of Business.
May I ask for permission to raise the matter of the examinations in the technological colleges, both central and regional, on the Adjournment?
I will communicate with Deputy Wilson in that regard.
Could I ask when we may expect to receive the Minister's amendments to the Finance Bill which the Chair will recall the Minister sought to have ordered for today? The Minister, I think, assured the House on that occasion that we would have his amendments by the weekend, but we have not had them yet. I am sure it will be appreciated that the matter is becoming exceedingly difficult, because I understand from what the Minister said that we shall have complicated amendments and we must study them and decide on our own amendments. It is now a matter of extreme urgency that we should receive those amendments.
I will find out from the Minister and ask him to communicate with Deputy Colley.
I want to ask the Taoiseach if there has been any further development on the Anti-Discrimination (Pay) (Amendment) Bill, 1975, in view of the current strike on the issue of equal pay, and if he will, as a matter of urgency, clear up the doubt and confusion that the Government's delayed action is causing.
I have nothing to add to what the Minister said last week, that a submission has been made to Brussels and we are awaiting a reply on the submission.
The Taoiseach is aware of the strike that is now taking place on this issue.
The Deputy has already adverted to that matter.
He has answered the first part of the question but not the second part. In view of the strike that is taking place, will the Government take steps to clear up the situation very quickly?
As I said, we are awaiting a reply from Brussels on the submission made.
Is the Brussels situation not generally known?
They have not replied officially yet.