It is proposed to take No. 7 (resumed).
Order of Business.
I should like to ask the Taoiseach if he has any progress to report to the House on the Government's attempt to solve the postal dispute.
The question does not arise.
Would the Taoiseach tell us of the effort being made to resolve this dispute?
This does not arise on the Order of Business. This is getting to be a farce every morning.
The Deputy knows Standing Orders as well as the Chair and he should be aware that he cannot raise any old business on the Order of Business.
I wish to give notice of my intention to raise on the Adjournment the decision of the Minister for the Environment to increase rents of local authority houses and the way the decision was made.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Is the Taoiseach now in a position to tell the House and the country, the precise terms under which we propose to enter the EMS with regard to loans and the transfer of resources?
I do not think that arises on the Order of Business.
Has the Taoiseach decided when he will allow the House to discuss the removal of £22 million from food subsidies?
The first part of the question does not arise.
The first question would require notice.
With regard to the second question, I should like to tell the House that I have not yet decided.
I should like to inform the Chair that I have asked on several occasions on the Order of Business for the precise details regarding our entry into the EMS. I should also like to remind the Taoiseach that the conferring by the Irish people of 74 seats——
Correction: 84 seats.
Irrespective of the number, it should not be interpreted by the Taoiseach as conferring upon him dictatorial powers.
The Chair is only concerned with what is relevant.
I have asked two legitimate questions and the Taoiseach has a duty and a responsibility to give the House all the information he has with regard to those matters.
The Deputy is aware that his first question would entail a long debate in the House.
Will the Taoiseach answer my questions?
I have ruled them out of order.
There are standard procedures for eliciting information of this nature and I suggest that the Deputy might use them.
It is legitimate to ask when the Government intend to provide time for a discussion here on the removal of £22 million from food subsidies and the serious effect that removal has on the poorer sections of our community.
The Taoiseach answered that question.
In view of the answer the Taoiseach gave, that he did not know, surely it is reasonable that the Taoiseach at this stage should be able to inform the House when such a debate will take place?
I have answered the question.
Now that the Dáil, and Seanad, have passed the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) (Amendment) Bill, 1979, I should like to ask the Taoiseach when the Government propose to publish the terms of reference for the public inquiry into the Whiddy disaster and introduce the necessary resolution here?
I expect the President to sign the Bill in a day or two, when the usual statutory or constitutional period has elapsed. At that stage we will be in a position to introduce the resolution.
Can I take it from the Taoiseach's reply that the resolution will be put before the House at about the same time that the Bill I mentioned becomes law?
As soon as ever Standing Orders will permit.
Approximately a week from now?
About that, or maybe early the next week. I am not certain.
Will it also indicate the venue for the public inquiry?
Not the venue, because that is still under consideration.