It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 1, 2, 3, 13 and 14.
Order of Business.
May I ask if the Taoiseach will announce the sitting days for next week in view of the fact that St. Patrick's Day falls on Thursday?
Tuesday and Wednesday and, on Wednesday, the normal Thursday hours.
Could the Taoiseach tell me which Minister is actually responsible for negotiations within the European Community on our fishery limits? To whom should questions be addressed by Members? Over the past couple of weeks I have found my questions transferred from one Minister to another.
As the Deputy is probably aware, some matters would go to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and some would go before the appropriate Minister, the Minister for Fisheries. The Council of Ministers decide which Ministers.
For clarification, I had two questions of a similar nature tabled in the last two weeks and in one week they were directed to the Minister for Fisheries and this week they were re-directed to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Could the Taoiseach explain to me why this has happened because they related exactly to the same element in our negotiations?
I cannot explain the difference but the Deputy had a question down for me which was not put on the Order Paper. I am giving him the answer now that on some occasions, as he probably knows, it is the Foreign Ministers on certain aspects of it who meet and on other aspects it is the Ministers for Agriculture and Fisheries or the Ministers for Fisheries and on other occasions it is a joint meeting.
On the precise issue of our fishery limits, on which this Government have taken a stand, to whom should I direct my questions? Which Minister is responsible? That is what I need to know.
It would, I think, depend on the question.
On the precise issue of our fishery limits to whom should I address my questions? It could not be more precise than that.
The Deputy is aware it is the Council of the EEC decides what Ministers should consider whatever the particular matter is at the time.
I know who decides. I am asking which Minister here is responsible for making the case on behalf of Ireland.
I said both.
Or neither. I simply cannot find out.