It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 10, 12 (resumed), 14 (resumed) and 13 (resumed). No. 13 will be taken at 3.30 p.m. The last Opposition speaker will be called not later than 4.45 and the last Government speaker will be called on not later than 5.45, the debate to be concluded not later than 6.45. Private Members' Business, No. 32, will be taken from 7 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. Deputy Gene Fitzgerald inquired yesterday when No. 21 will be taken. It will be some time because the Bill is still with the draftsmen.
Order of Business.
I thank the Taoiseach for this information. I should like, a Cheann Comhairle, to bring to your attention the fact that I believe that the Minister was in breach of the procedures of this House in having an official of his Department convey and discuss the contents of this Bill at a week-end seminar before the contents of the Bill were available to the Members of this House. This Bill was promised before the Christmas recess and circulation was promised during the recess. We have not received it and, as the Taoiseach has informed the House this morning, it will not be ready for some time. Despite that, according to a report in The Irish Times on Monday, 21st February, 1977, an official of the Department outlined the measures to be contained in the Safety, Health and Welfare of Workers in Industry Bill, 1976. In view of that shabby treatment of Members of this House I believe that you should bring it to the attention of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions organised a seminar on the general subject of safety and health at work. The programme of lectures at that weekend seminar included an appraisal of the existing safety and health at work situation in Ireland, the EEC action programme on safety and health at work, recent United Kingdom legislation and an outline of the future development of safety and health legislation in this country. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions requested that my Department provide a speaker on this subject. In accordance with my general wish that there should be a continuing dialogue with representatives of employer and trade union organisations, for which I am responsible, arrangements were made to have a speaker address the seminar on the subject of safety and an assistant principal of my Department attended in that capacity. In his talk general reference was made to the type of subject which might be included in the proposed Safety, Health and Welfare of Workers in Industry Bill, 1976. It was made quite clear by the speaker that parliamentary privilege precluded the disclosure of detailed information regarding Bills before they had been circulated to Dáil Deputies. That is the position in relation to the seminar. As the Taoiseach has said, the Bill is still held up at the draftsman's office and the Deputy is aware that there is a great volume of legislation at present in that office.
May I ask the Minister——
I have allowed some discretion but the House will appreciate that this matter may not be debated now.
In view of what the Minister has said, I should like to ask him if he is suggesting that the report of The Irish Times on Monday last is inaccurate and untrue.
Having read the exchange that occurred in the Dáil yesterday regarding the Deputy's questions to the Taoiseach, I made inquiries among the officials concerned. I was unaware of our attendance at the seminar. As I have explained, it was in pursuit of a continuing policy of mine that officials of the Department of Labour should be available to attend seminars held either by employers or trade unions. This official attended and spoke along the lines indicated.
I think it is obvious that there is a case for investigation by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and I suggest, a Cheann Comhairle, that you go ahead. Can I look forward to hearing from you?
I will consider the matter and communicate with the Deputy.