It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 4, 1, 5 and 6. By agreement there will be no interruption this week for Private Members' Business.
Order of Business.
On the Order of Business, can the Taoiseach say if he intends giving time to the Dáil to discuss the White Paper on National Development.
Yes, in due course.
Can the Taoiseach say how long will be given to such debate and also what he means by "in due course"?
It would be premature at this point to answer those questions. As the Deputy knows, tomorrow's budget will be followed by a debate, protracted or otherwise. When that debate has concluded we can consider giving time to the other matter. I am sure the Deputy appreciates that the debate on the budget would be related closely to the subject matter of a debate on the White Paper. Consequently, it might be better if some little time elapsed between the two debates.
I accept that the budget debate may be related somewhat to the White Paper covering the period 1977 to 1980, but in view of the controversial nature of the White Paper and having regard to the extent to which it has been criticised in informed circles, it is desirable that the Dáil be given an opportunity of discussing it fully.
I do not know what kind of informed circles the Deputy is mixing in.
I can assure the Minister that I am not thinking of the authors.
At least we produced in six months a White Paper about which there could be controversy.
Spare us the prospect. With the permission of the Chair I propose, with Deputy Horgan, to raise on the Adjournment today the question of the post office dispute at Blackrock, Co. Dublin.
The Chair will communicate with the Depty during the afternoon.