It is proposed to take No. 6 (resumed). I should like to say also that it is proposed, by agreement, that the House will adjourn this evening until 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 21 March 1979.
Order of Business.
On the Order of Business, in reply to Questions Nos. 23 and 24 on the Order Paper of yesterday the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment stated that the Minister for Education will be introducing a Constitutional Amendment Bill dealing with the question of university representation in the Seanad and that possibly this will be taken in a referendum on 5 July next. Might I ask the Taoiseach when this Bill will be introduced?
I cannot say exactly when. The Minister might be in a position to give more precise details, but I know the intention is to introduce it.
The Bill is being drafted at present. We hope to have it ready for circulation in the very near future.
Can I take it that the Bill will be debated and that there will be a possibility of it being taken at a Referendum on 5 July next?
That is correct.
A Cheann Comhairle, I gave you and the Taoiseach notice in writing yesterday that I intended to seek Government time for a debate on the industrial conflict, especially in the public sector. I wonder if the Taoiseach has had time to consider that request and if he will now agree to give time for such a debate.
As the House is aware, the members of the Government will be meeting the Council of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions this afternoon to discuss the matter that the Deputy wants to raise by way of debate in the House as well as other matters. We will be making arrangements to meet employers, or representatives of employer organisations next week. These meetings are likely to be continued for some time, so I do not propose to accede to the request.
At the Referendum that is proposed for 5 July, why not include that question——
That is not in order.
Why should we ask the country to decide in a referendum when that could be determined at polling stations all over the country as well as the local and European elections? It is wanton waste of money.
Order, please. I am calling item No. 6. Would Deputy Murphy please resume his seat?
On the Order of Business, I should like, with your permission, Sir, to raise on the Adjournment Question No. 7 of March 13.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Arising out of the Taoiseach's reply to my request, I should like to press him on the subject because——
The Taoiseach answered the Deputy, and we may not debate it.
It is a pity that this House should be deemed to be irrelevant——
We may not debate it; please, Deputy.
——while people are turning to the streets. This is where the industrial conflict should be discussed. I would ask the Taoiseach to reconsider the matter.
We may not discuss it here.
Are we going to see people taking to the streets and being ruled out of order here from discussing the issues of the day and of the year?
There is nothing being ruled out of order that is not being done in accordance with Standing Orders and with the strict precedents of the House.
I would ask the Taoiseach to reconsider his decision not to allow a debate.
The Chair has no function in the matter of what the Taoiseach decides.
I should like to urge on the Taoiseach further consideration of the point raised by Deputy Mitchell, because his reply and his mention of discussions with employer organisations does not seem relevant to the issue of conflict in the public sector where the Government are the employers, and that is where the disorder is. A debate is required on that and it does not seem to me that the reasons given by the Taoiseach are relevant to a non-discussion of these matters in the House. I would urge further consideration of the debate for that reason.
As I have pointed out, this matter may not be discussed on the Order of Business.
In the meantime Deputy FitzGerald might urge Deputy Mitchell not to be implying that all the disputes are in the public sector.
(Cavan-Monaghan): You people started it all.
If Deputy Mitchell is so concerned about orderly behaviour, he might consider giving an example of some.