It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 4, 7 (resumed) and 8 and, in 8, Vote 42 and Supplementary.
Order of Business.
(Cavan-Monaghan): When is it proposed to circulate to the Members of this House the Local Government (Financial Provisions) Bill, 1977? I ask this question because I read in yesterday's newspaper that this Bill has been circulated or made available to an association in this city. I am also aware that for some considerable time not alone has this Bill been publicly available but the confidential memorandum to the Government and the explanatory memorandum which ordinarily accompany a Bill were also available.
We cannot have a discussion on this.
(Cavan-Monaghan): This is not a speech. It is quite obvious that——
Ask a question regarding it. We cannot establish the precedent of allowing speeches on the Order of Business.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Does the Taoiseach not consider that this is a serious breach of the privileges of this House?
Obviously the Deputy took advantage of asking a question in order to make his point. The Bill to which he refers will be distributed shortly to Deputies. I have no knowledge that it has been distributed to people other than Members of the Oireachtas. If the Deputy has specific instances or any positive evidence available I should be glad to get it from him later on.
(Cavan-Monaghan): I refer the Taoiseach to yesterday's Irish Independent where an individual said that he had a copy of the Bill in advance. I can tell the Taoiseach that the explanatory memorandum, the confidential memorandum to the Government and the Bill were offered to me on the telephone.
If that is the case, then it was purloined from official sources. I have no knowledge of it. Nobody was authorised to give documents of this nature to anybody other than those who are entitled to get them under the ordinary procedures and rules of the House.
(Cavan-Monaghan): I respectfully suggest that the Taoiseach, having this information, should do something about it.
I was always taught that one should believe only half what one reads.
Is the Taoiseach talking again about the Fianna Fáil manifesto?
(Interruptions).
On a point of order I give formal notice that I should like to raise on the Adjournment the issue about which I gave you notice yesterday.
I will communicate with the Deputy in the ordinary way.