It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 1, 18, 2 and 7. Private Members' Business from 7 p.m. to 8.30 p.m., No. 72, will be taken, by agreement.
Order of Business.
The Taoiseach will be aware the mention was made of a debate on industrial relations in the public sector and that it was proposed that the debate should be held on Thursday next. I take it that that is agreed?
I have already been in touch with Deputy FitzGerald on this matter and indicated that there was a statutory requirement to complete the Second Stage of the Finance Bill by next Tuesday, Deputy FitzGerald, in turn, conveyed to me that the Opposition would agree to have the necessary arrangements made to complete that debate by Tuesday, provided the industrial relations matter was discussed on Thursday and I agreed to that.
I confirm that.
Subject to the agreement of our Whip——
I was about to add that if the other Whip agreed, we could make the appropriate arrangements to take the debate on Thursday.
In relation to Thursday's debate on industrial relations, does the Taoiseach propose to make any further statement on the national understanding in view of the attitude of the country's largest union?
This is another way of raising a matter which is not relevant.
If the Finance Bill is envisaged for next Tuesday, what is to become of the Family Planning Bill, which has been ordered for that day?
I have been in touch with the Deputy's leader and the result of my contact indicates that the Finance Bill will be debated and completed next Tuesday. Perhaps the Deputy would get in touch with his own leader.
I am asking the Taoiseach to tell the House what is to become of the Family Planning Bill. May I also express the wish that when that Bill is resumed the Taoiseach will respect the conscience of Deputy Gibbons and not subordinate that Deputy's conscience to the discipline of his party.
Let Deputy Gibbons look after his own conscience.
He needs someone to look after him. He needs someone to speak up for him.
(Interruptions.)
Order, please.
We never asked anybody to put his conscience in second place after party discipline.
We know what you did.
The discussions between the Taoiseach and myself covered the Finance Bill and the fitting in of the industrial relations debate. The Family Planning Bill is a separate issue and I assume it will follow immediately after that. We had no discussion on that point.
I am quite prepared to discuss these matters in an open, understanding and co-operative way with Deputy FitzGerald but members of his front bench stand up and try to be provocative on these occasions. When they get reasonable co-operation from this side they try to throw a spanner in the works. The Deputy should tell his front bench that they ought not to do that kind of thing.
(Interruptions.)
Order, please. I am calling Deputy Browne.
The Ceann Comhairle will recall that it was decided we would take the Family Planning Bill on Tuesday next. Deputy FitzGerald, Leader of the Opposition, said there had not been any discussion on that Bill with the Opposition Whips, therefore, how could the Family Planning Bill be set aside by agreement with the Government and the Opposition?
This is the usual practice.
The Deputy has been a Member of this House long enough to know that when a date for the next stage of a Bill is ordered, it is always subject to discussion with the Whips. The Chair has no jurisdiction over the fixing of business for a particular day.
The Leader of the Opposition said there was no mention of the Family Planning Bill when the Order of Business for next Tuesday was being discussed.
The Taoiseach pointed out that there was a statutory requirement to complete the Finance Bill by next Tuesday. He asked whether, if time were given to the industrial relations debate, we would be able to ensure that that could be done. I accepted to that reasonable request without prejudice to when the Family Planning Bill would be discussed. If the Finance Bill is concluded on Tuesday, I take it we will take the Family Planning Bill on Tuesday, but if the Finance Bill is not concluded on Tuesday I take it that the Family Planning Bill will be taken on Wednesday.
Could I get an assurance from the Taoiseach that the next business after the Finance Bill will be the Family Planning Bill next Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday?
I will check that. I cannot give the Deputy an assurance now——
But the Taoiseach expects that that will be so.
I would hope so.
I do not know what arrangements were entered into with the Whip of the Labour Party.
Would the Taoiseach give the House an outline of the legislation he proposes to introduce before the summer recess?
I understand that this question was ruled out of order for reasons which were given to the Deputy that is, that these matters are discussed between the Whips and indications of legislation are given in advance with reasonable notice. The Deputy is merely trying to circumvent the ruling of the Chair by asking the question now.
The Taoiseach is incorrect. The matter was ruled out of order on the basis that it would be more appropriately raised on the Order of Business.
The Deputy is not the oldest member of the House but he is aware that this matter is always discussed between the Whips.
I received a letter from the Ceann Comhairle indicating that this was a matter which should be more appropriately raised on the Order of Business. My question to the Taoiseach having been ruled out of order, I am following the suggestion in your letter and raising it on the Order of Business.
That seems reasonable.
On a previous occasion the Deputy was told that these matters are arranged between the Whips and that indications are given, with reasonable notice in advance, that particular legislation would be taken. That notice and indication will be given to the Deputy in due time.
I am not interested in what is arranged between the Whips, which is usually for the following week. I am interested, as my question implies, in what proposals the Government have for a legislative programme between now and the summer recess. Can the Taoiseach give any indication at this stage?
Not at this stage. That is usually indicated much later in the session. As the Ceann Comhairle said, the Deputy is fairly new here but the practice has been to give that indication much later in the session.
Is that legislation produced on an ad hoc basis? Is it not the responsibility of the Government to advise the House of their legislative programme, or do they not have any such programme?
I am calling item No. 1. Deputy O'Toole.