It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 5 (resumed), 6 (resumed), 7 (resumed) and 8. Private Members' Business will be taken between 7 p.m. and 8.30 p.m., No. 15 (resumed), by agreement.
Order of Business.
Has the Taoiseach come to any decision yet about allowing a special debate on the subjects I raised yesterday?
I intimated yesterday that the Whips could discuss the matter with a view to seeing whether agreement could be reached about finishing certain items of business on the Order Paper which were discussed yesterday and which will be discussed today. I understand that the Whips have failed to agree to conclude that business, so I do not propose then to give time otherwise unless such agreement can be come to. Perhaps it can be reached in the course of the day.
There is some business on the Order Paper which obviously could not be finished. It is important, but not urgent. It could not be finished this side of Christmas, never mind today. Would the Taoiseach consider giving a debate even on the industrial relations position which is, according to the papers this morning, deteriorating further?
I left it to the Whips to consider whether it is possible to conclude, if not all the business which is on the Order Paper, at least some of it. I understand that no suggestion whatever has been forthcoming to conclude any item on the Order Paper. The Opposition cannot have it both ways. They are calling for debates on what they describe as matters of importance and then regarding others as so urgent and important that they cannot agree to finish them. We cannot put one aside in order to take the other.
I said that they were important but not necessarily urgent.
We cannot have a debate on this.
Yesterday the Taoiseach suggested that we might sit on Friday. Is that possible?
Depending on the attitude of the Opposition to the business on the Order Paper.
As a matter of urgency, I ask the Taoiseach on the Order of Business if he is aware of the confusion involved in accounting as a result of the breaking of the currency link.
That is not on the Order Paper.
It is important.
It may be important, but it is not in order.
I am not going to answer questions which are out of order.
For the first time Irish money is foreign currency. The Government have given people excuses now for refusing Irish money. They should be proud of themselves.
Order, please.
Their silence condemns them for what they are.
When this request was made——
(Interruptions.)
You are the man who failed them, you short-sighted little man.
I will shut you up in good order. I will shut you up and order you out.
Order.
You are the man who walked them into this. You are totally insensitive to the political situation in this country.
If Deputy Harte does not know how to behave I will have to ask him to leave the House.
It is a disgraceful performance.
The Deputy cannot get up in this fashion on the Order of Business. Will he please resume his seat?
You should know better.
Is there any semblance of order in the House? Is there any reason, Sir, why your ruling should not be obeyed and why Deputy Harte should not resume his seat and cease speaking?
The Taoiseach will always be very nice but the people on the Border have had enough of this damn nonsense.
I will have to name Deputy Harte if he does not behave.
In deference to the Chair, I will not obstruct the business, but this is the most disgraceful performance of any Irish Government.